SAN ANTONIO — After the the San Antonio Spurs pulled their qualifying offer made to guard Lonnie Walker IV earlier this week he became an unrestricted free agent and is now set to join the Los Angeles Lakers.
Walker, according to The Athletic's Sham Charania, is inking a one-year deal with the Lakers next season.
Walker joins a loaded Lakers team which boasts LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook.
He'll likely play a key role off the bench for Los Angeles as he did with the Spurs.
Not bringing back Walker further signals the direction the Spurs are aiming at: Total rebuild.
This move will open up more minutes for the young Spurs squad next season as the team preps for the future as well as allowing the team to retain financial flexibility by not having to match any offers to Walker as a restricted free agent.
Walker was drafted by the Spurs in 2018 and started to show signs of improvement in the second half of last season.
He averaged a career-high 12.1 points per game and 2.2 assists in 70 games played for the Spurs.
He's also made a significant impact in the San Antonio community with charitable events, and was very assessible to fans off the court.
The roster is going through a complete overhaul since last season with Derrick White traded to Boston, Dejounte Murray and Jock Landale traded to the Hawks, and now Walker.
Spurs fans will definitely see Walker in San Antonio next season as the Lakers should be in San Antonio twice next season and will be a sure game not to miss.
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