The Brooklyn Nets have had several high-level role players come through the borough within the last couple of years. The 2023-24 season saw several newcomers, but few made an impact off the bench like Lonnie Walker IV. After playing for a few different teams, Walker IV revitalized himself in Brooklyn. Many speculated whether Walker IV would be back with the Nets after the team failed to offer him a contract extension, and that question has now been answered with the Boston Celtics.
Walker has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Celtics, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. The "E10" allows Boston to give a bonus to Walker if he is waived after training camp and plays for the team's G League affiliate in Maine, Charania notes.
Lonnie Walker IV was a true sparkplug for the Nets through 58 games of the 2023-24 regular season. He averaged 9.7 points and shot 38.4 percent on his three-pointers in just 17.4 minutes of action. Walker IV was the 18th overall pick from the 2018 draft. The Celtics are now his fourth NBA team after he spent four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, one year with the Los Angeles Lakers and one year with the Nets.
Who will be the next Nets role player to step up in Lonnie Walker IV's absence?
Brooklyn will no longer have Walker IV to provide a spark off the bench. Nevertheless, the team has plenty of contributors who can fill the void. The Nets acquired former 2021 first-round pick Ziaire Williams from the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2024 offseason. Williams looks to see growth in his offensive game after somewhat of an underwhelming stint in Memphis.
In addition to Williams, the Nets will have Keon Johnson, Trendon Watford, and a combination of Dorian Finney-Smith and/or Noah Clowney, should they come off the bench. Johnson could be the player who steps up big time for Brooklyn's backup unit.
With Mikal Bridges out of the picture and the Nets in a full rebuild, Johnson will see increased action. He appeared in five games for the Nets in 2023-24 after departing from the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 6.2 points per game. Johnson averaged 16.3 points per game with the Nets during the 2024 NBA Summer League, and the team rewarded him with a two-year deal.
Brooklyn's bench players have a great opportunity to make an impact during the 2024-25 season with the news of Lonnie Walker IV's departure to the Celtics.