The Los Angeles Lakers have multiple players they have to retain, but they are reportedly likely to lose Lonnie Walker IV for a starting role.
The Los Angeles Lakers made it out of the play-in tournament with the No. 7 seed and made a push to the Western Conference Finals for the second time in four years. But, their run ended via a sweep by the Denver Nuggets. Now, the team will have to try and retain their core, with players like Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura due for new contracts. But could one player be at risk of leaving elsewhere?
During an appearance on "The HoopsHype Podcast with Michael Scotto," The Athletic's Jovan Buha revealed that Lonnie Walker IV wants a larger role next season, and he expects him to find that role on another team.
"In his exit interviews, he made it clear he thinks highly of himself. He's very confident. He wants a big role," said Buha, h/t HoopsHype. "From the Lakers' side, they have his non-Bird Rights. I think he's probably looking more at his role in his next contract that he'll prioritize. I suspect he'll end up elsewhere at a place where he can start or be a sixth or seventh man."
Lonnie Walker IV to leave the Lakers for a larger role?
As for how much Walker could make in free agency? Buha says, "I think he's in that $4-7 million range."
Walker, a former first-round pick by the San Antonio Spurs, was one of the Lakers' free agency signings last offseason, where he secured a one-year, $6.5 million contract. He played in 56 games in the regular-season, missing time due to left knee tendinitis. During those 56 contests (32 starts), Walker averaged 11.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, while posting a 44.8 field goal percentage and a 36.5 three-point percentage.
In the playoffs, Walker was utilized off the bench by head coach Darvin Ham. His best game came in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Golden State Warriors, where he scored 15 points while making 6-of-9 shots from the field in 27 minutes played in the 104-101 victory. Through 13 games played in the playoffs, Walker averaged 6.2 points while shooting 48.3 percent from the field.
The Lakers' offseason will be one to follow, especially to see if they can retain players that helped them make their long run in the postseason.
