According to ESPN Bobby Marks, Lonnie Walker IV could return to the NBA soon. Marks said that Walker, currently playing for Lithuanian powerhouse Zalgaris Kaunas, has an escape clause that ends on February 18 and has drawn plenty of interest from the league. Where are potential suitors for him?
Walker is a six-year NBA veteran who signed with Zalgaris after failing to stick with the Boston Celtics during training camp. He put up decent numbers off the bench during four preseason games for the Celtics. But he was on just an Exhibit 10 contract with the Celtics after struggling in his lone season in Brooklyn.
2018 First Round Pick Garnering Plenty Of NBA Interest
Waker has played well since moving overseas, though he has struggled a bit in Euroleague competition. Walker averages 13.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 21 minutes over 30 games across all competitions. He also drains 2.3 threes with a 42.4/39.7/82.1 slash line. He has scored in double figures on 19 occasions, topping the 20-point mark five times during his time in Europe.
Known as a 3-and-D wing, Walker is a high-volume scorer. Granted, he has become a reliable 3-point shooter, especially from the corners, over the last few seasons and finishes well at the rim. But he doesn’t get to the free-throw line a lot.
Walker can also create his shot and can score on the move. He is also versatile and good in transition. Defensively, he has improved his perimeter defense over the years.
Lonnie Walker IV Potential NBA Suitors
It is interesting that Marks indicated that several teams are monitoring Walker’s time in Lithuania and his decision to return to the NBA, but who could be interested in a union? In December, Walker was linked to the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, and Boston. Could other teams be interested?
Boston Celtics
Boston is second in the Eastern Conference with a 38-16 record. The Celtics have the sixth-best winning percentage (14-7) since the calendar turned to 2015. However, the Celtics have struggled offensively during this stretch.
Over the first two and a half months, Boston was a very well-oiled offensive machine. The Celtics ranked third in efficiency and fourth in scoring, at nearly 120 points a game. Since then, the Celtics have fallen to ninth in offensive rating and 17th in scoring, at 113.5 points, which is over six points worse than earlier in the campaign.
A major reason the Cetics, who got off to a torrid pace offensively, have not been statistically as good lately is that they are getting fewer offensive possessions than before. As a result, they are launching fewer threes. While the C’s three-point accuracy took a little hit in December and January, they have been shooting the ball well recently.
Boston could use some infusion off the bench. The Celtics bench accounts for over 16 minutes of total playing time, which ranks in the bottom third of the league. The C’s reserves are producing the fifth-lowest point total in the league at 29.4 per contest. Peyton Pritchard is the only nonstarter to average more than eight points a game.
Boston still has one open roster spot, though they recently signed veteran forward Torrey Craig for the remainder of the season. Craig, who has been injured most of the season, was waived by the Chicago Bulls after the trade deadline. He is similar to Walker despite not being as offensive-minded or talented.
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia has dealt with a plethora of injuries throughout the season. As a result, the 76ers are 11th in the East, though the Sixers are holding out hope that their Big 3—Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George—can remain healthy for the rest of the year, thus giving them a chance at making a run.
Philadephia has 13 players on standard contracts after the 76ers converted the two-way contract of rookie Justin Edwards to a two-year rest-of-the-season contract on February 9. To assure the Sixers have a full roster, they have inked David Roddy and Chuma Okeke to 10-day deals.
With the 76ers needing to fill out their roster, Walker would be a perfect fit. The Reading (PA) native would immediately jump into the 76ers rotation. He would likely be the second perimeter player off the bench behind Quentin Grimes.
Miami Heat
Miami really doesn’t appear to be a fit for Walker after their NBA trade deadline deals. The Heat netted Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell, and Kyle Anderson as part of the Jimmy Butler trade. The Heat already have Terry Rozier, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Duncan Robinson, and Pelle Larsson on the roster. However, it is possible the Heat could release Alec Burks to sign Walker. They are currently over $1.7 million below the first tax apron.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota is an interesting fit. The Timberwolves (30-24) are seventh in the West and have won eight of their last ten. But Mike Conley has struggled this season, and Donte DiVincenzo is out for at least a week or more. Even if DiVincenzo is able to return after the all-star break, the Timberwolves could use depth. The Wolves, who have an open roster spot, go just eight deep.
Denver Nuggets
Denver has been shorthanded all season long, with DaRon Holmes sidelined since training camp. The Nuggets are currently more hamstrung by injuries to Michael Porter Jr., Peyton Watson, and Russell Westbrook. The Nuggets do have a full roster, but they are also over $5 million from being hard-capped at the second apron.
Other Potential Suitors
Several teams need to fill roster spots and are potential suitors. Golden State, Sacramento, Dallas, Milwaukee, and New York could also be interested.
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