Lonnie Walker IV is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers for the Brooklyn Nets, according to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Walker IV is signing a one-year deal with the Nets.
Walker IV appeared in 56 games for the Lakers last season. He averaged 11.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field, 36.5% from beyond the arc and 85.8% from the free-throw line.
The 24-year-old Walker IV helped the Lakers win Game 4 of the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals against the Golden State Warriors. The Miami product scored 15 points in the fourth quarter of Game 4. The Lakers ultimately beat the Warriors in six games.
Walker IV has career averages of 9.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists with the San Antonio Spurs and Lakers. He was the 18th overall pick in the 2018 draft.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Lonnie Walker IV, Los Angeles Lakers & Brooklyn Nets Updates
The Lakers have been very busy since free agency started on June 30. They re-signed Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura in restricted free agency and brought back D’Angelo Russell in unrestricted free agency. Los Angeles also signed Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish and Jaxson Hayes.
Along with Walker IV, the Lakers lost Dennis Schroder to the Toronto Raptors and Troy Brown Jr. to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Malik Beasley won’t be back either after the purple and gold declined his 2023-24 salary.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Lonnie Walker IV, Los Angeles Lakers & Brooklyn Nets Updates
Los Angeles is targeting another big man with its 14th roster spot and Mo Bamba could get that spot, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic. The Lakers waived Bamba on June 29 while he was working out at the practice facility.
“L.A. is targeting another big man with its 14th roster spot, according to team sources,” Buha wrote. “They are likely to carry 14 guaranteed contracts into the season, leaving one roster spot open. Mo Bamba, whom the Lakers waived on Thursday, and Tristan Thompson, who joined the team right before their playoff run, remain options to fill that 14th spot, according to league sources.
“The big man market has been dry so far during this free-agency period, so the Lakers could also wait to see if better options present themselves.”
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