Once seen as a promising piece of the Los Angeles Lakers' future, Lonnie Walker has now found a new NBA home in the East, signing a one-year contract with the Brooklyn Nets. Walker's Lakers journey was cut short due to a knee injury and subsequent reshuffling of the team roster that included the re-signing of D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, and the introduction of Gabe Vincent.
Despite an abrupt end to his stint with the Lakers, Walker is poised for a fresh start in Brooklyn. The announcement of his new contract, as reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, was confirmed by Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and agent Lucas Newton. The specifics of the financial terms have yet to be disclosed.
Walker, a 6-foot-4 guard, is remembered for his promising performances during the early phase of the 2022-23 NBA season as part of the Lakers. Hailing from Pennsylvania, Walker averaged approximately 15 points per game and a beyond-the-arc shooting percentage of 38.4% over 32 games with the LA-based team.
His trajectory took a downward turn when a knee injury in December 2022 side-lined him for roughly a month. This, coupled with the arrival of new players at the February trade deadline, curtailed his playtime significantly. Despite being side-lined, Walker did have a notable moment during Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Golden State Warriors.
Walker's transition to the Nets comes amidst a significant restructuring phase for the team, following the departure of luminaries like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The former 18th overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft, initially selected by the San Antonio Spurs, is likely to receive new opportunities to shine in Brooklyn.
The Nets will be banking on Walker's offensive prowess to bolster their retooled roster. Walker's career averages - 9.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across 264 games - underscore his potential. His peak performance was during the 2021-22 season with the Spurs when he averaged 12.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.
As Walker integrates with the Nets' current roster, which includes Spencer Dinwiddie, Ben Simmons, and Cam Johnson, he will be expected to bring his offensive talents to the forefront to benefit his new team.
