Devin Vassell Pushes Lonnie Walker Further Down In Rotation

Since entering the league in 2018, Lonnie Walker IV has been very disappointing for the San Antonio Spurs. He has played in just 78 games over the last two seasons and has averaged just 5.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and has shot 41.7% from the floor. He has proven to be a three-point threat, shooting 41-101 (40.6%) last season, but that is about the only part of his game that seems to fit the Spurs system. 

Last year, Walker found himself behind both Bryn Forbes and Derrick White in the rotation and the Spurs sent a clear message that he will have to prove himself for minutes this season when they drafted Devin Vassell. Not only is Vassell a “3-and-D” player, but is also a proven three-point shooter, shooting 41.5% from three-point range last year at Florida State.

San Antonio drafted Vassell 11th overall and they are not going to waste his talent on the bench this year. He will get minutes on the court to prove himself and will be entered into a competition with Lonnie Walker from Day 1. If Walker is going to have a future with the Spurs, he must perform well as this is a “make-or-break” season for him. 

Devin Vassell just has a better all-around game compared to Lonnie Walker and he does not have the injury history that Walker does. Over the course of his playing career, Lonnie Walker IV has dealt with knee and back injuries that have sidelined him for extensive periods of time, whereas Devin Vassell has no significant injury history and can play immediately for the Spurs. 

Given Vassell’s size and athleticism, plus his overall game, expect to see him edge out Lonnie Walker during the course of the 2020-21 NBA season, potentially pushing Walker out of San Antonio.