There are times during the past few years when the Milwaukee Bucks’ bench still fails to live up to expectations. The front office can resolve that by targeting former Los Angeles Lakers standout and current Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Lonnie Walker IV in free agency.
Walker first entered the NBA as the San Antonio Spurs 18th pick in the 2018 Draft, the same one that produced Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson. From there, he developed as an athletic wing who can play well on both ends of the court.
Walker later played for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-23 campaign. Similar to his role in San Antonio, the shooting guard provided a good burst of offense while ably handling his defensive assignment on a nightly basis. In 56 games that year, the former Spurs star posted 11.7 points on 36 percent shooting from deep, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists.
Although his playing time and numbers dwindled in Brooklyn, the potential is still there for Walker. At 25 years old, the shooting guard is still young enough to become more better, especially if he is given the opportunity to shine.
Brooklyn Nets’ Lonnie Walker IV Seen As Possible Target for Milwaukee Bucks in Free Agency
As it stands, the Bucks may need another scoring option outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, especially one coming from the bench. Dalton Sell explains why Walker can be that guy in an article for Behind The Buck Pass
“Walker could immediately become a second-unit sparkplug for Milwaukee. In addition to simply being an infusion of athleticism, he could provide needed scoring as well, having averaged 9.8 points while shooting 35.6 percent from deep in his career. Given just how hot and cold this bench is known to be, another player who can put points on the board would not hurt.
Coming off a year where he averaged 17.4 minutes per game, his fewest in four years, Walker will not be due for a raise. He’ll likely be looking at another minimum, and perhaps he could take the approach of Malik Beasley, who signed with Milwaukee on a minimum to show his value on a contender to try to get paid the following off-season,” Sell wrote.
Walker’s one-year $2 million contract with the Nets has just ended, making him a free agent this offseason. Milwaukee can swoop in and sign him to bolster their bench for next season.
It remains to be seen where Walker will land soon. In any case, there’s a lot of upside to be had with him, especially if given more time to play with Antetokounmpo and Lillard.
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