Player established in the NBA for more than five years now and capable of averaging ten points season after season, Lonnie Walker found himself in a precarious situation this summer. He obviously hasn't received many phone calls, and especially no concrete offers…
Until the Celtics, champions since last June, and their president decided to contact him and invite him to their training camp.
“Brad Stevens saw something in me and gave me a chance to earn my place”, says the former Nets and Lakers. “The discussion revolved around my contract: an E10 (“Exhibit 10”). So I know how things can turn out, in terms of money, payroll, etc. »
“The best is yet to come”
Lonnie Walker IV has no guarantee of landing a spot alongside Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and the other champions. But determined to stay in the world of the NBA, he will agree to go down a level if necessary.
“If things don't go well, if there's a chance to play for the Maine Celtics, you'll have to do it,” he announces. “The options are slim. I didn't have the luxury of having several teams in front of me, being able to choose or having a guaranteed contract. So we have to take that. It doesn't always go his way. Adversity is going to hit you in the face and you have to find a way to bounce back and keep fighting. »
Playing in the G-League would logically be a stop for the guard, but the latter does not seem to be worried about the rest of his career. “I am very optimistic. I'm 25 years old, this is my seventh season and I haven't reached my best years yet. The best is yet to come »he concludes.
| Lonnie Walker | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | SAN | 17 | 7 | 34.8 | 38.5 | 80.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 2.7 |
| 2019-20 | SAN | 61 | 16 | 42.6 | 40.6 | 72.1 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 6.4 |
| 2020-21 | SAN | 60 | 25 | 42.0 | 35.5 | 81.4 | 0.2 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 11.2 |
| 2021-22 | SAN | 70 | 23 | 40.7 | 31.4 | 78.4 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 12.1 |
| 2022-23 | LAL | 56 | 23 | 44.8 | 36.5 | 85.8 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 11.7 |
| 2023-24 | BRK | 58 | 17 | 42.3 | 38.4 | 76.3 | 0.2 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 9.7 |
| Total | 322 | 20 | 42.2 | 35.6 | 79.5 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 9.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
