Not many would have guessed that one of the best offseason acquisitions for the Brooklyn Nets would be a player making a minimum salary. $2.3 million. That is how much Lonnie Walker IV is making for the entire 2023-2024 season, although being one of the Nets’ most valuable assets this season. With Walker out with a hamstring injury, it leaves the Nets needing others to step up in his absence. The Lonnie Walker injury can be a major problem for the Nets.
The Impact of Lonnie Walker IV’s Injury on the Nets
Walker’s Production
Before his injury, Walker had missed just one game previously, which was opening night when he received a “DNP – Coach’s Decision.” He quickly showed his worth off the bench. Walker scored 14 points in game two, 19 points in game three, and 17 points in game four.
In the 17 games Walker has played this season, he’s averaging 14.6 points per game (a career-high) in just 21.3 minutes. What has really stood out most about Walker this season is his shooting splits. He is shooting 46.3% from three-point range on over 5 attempts per game. Both figures would be career highs. This is an astronomical jump for a career 36% three-point shooter.
Biggest Improvements in EPM this season ('23 to '24):
1. Lonnie Walker: +4.9
2. Max Strus: +4.6
3. Goga Bitadze: +4.5
4. Duncan Robinson: +4.4
5. Scottie Barnes: +4.0
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313. Jalen McDaniels: -5.4
314. Wiggins: -5.7
315. Timelord: -5.9
316. Landale: -6.1
317. Nance -6.2 pic.twitter.com/KANEhOva6g— #InSnyderWeTrust (@dlee4three) December 13, 2023
Although it is a small sample size, Walker put himself in the Sixth Man of the Year conversation to start the young season.
Injury Update
Walker did not travel with the team on their west coast trip. He is expected to miss multiple weeks with the injury. Jacque Vaughn confirmed there was imaging done on the hamstring, but the grade of he strain has not been specified.
Nets Production This Season
Although Walker is not known for his defensive prowess, that is where the Nets have struggled the most this season. Their offense, on the other hand, has been quite good. Here is how the Nets, as a team, stack up against the league.
- 116.1 points per game (11th)
- 115.1 points allowed per game (19th)
- Offensive Rating 117.7 (11th)
- Defensive Rating 116.6 (21th)
The Nets also rank first in rebounds per game but dead last in steals per game. They are quite a puzzling team. With Ben Simmons also missing time with a back injury, the team has to look for others to step up on the defensive side of the ball.
The Nets Without Walker
The Nets are 4-4 since Walker went out with his hamstring injury, including a disappointing 125-108 loss to the Jazz on Monday night. At 13-13, the Nets sit in 9th place in the log-jammed Eastern Conference. It will be interesting to see which direction the Nets go at the trade deadline. The team has relied heavily on the offensive production of Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and Cam Thomas. Getting Walker and Simmons back would be a huge deal for this middling Nets squad.
