1. Lonnie Walker IV
The Raptors could use all the help they can get in the three-point shooting department, and that's where current Brooklyn Net Lonnie Walker IV comes in. Drafted 18th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2018 NBA Draft, Lonnie Walker IV spent four seasons there before he departed for the bright lights of Los Angeles in the 2022 offseason. It was during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers that Walker IV attracted the attention of the media as well as a superstar from an opposing team.
During Game 4 of the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals, Lonnie Walker IV came off the bench and proceeded to torch Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors with a 15-point performance in the fourth quarter. He became the first bench player in Lakers franchise history to record 15 or more points in a playoff game since Kobe Bryant in 1997. Walker IV came up big when his team needed a boost and it helped secure them the 104-101 victory that night. Furthermore, Steph Curry himself gifted Walker IV a signed jersey that read "Will never forgive you for Game 4".
Steph gave Lonnie Walker IV a signed jersey with the message, “Will never forgive your for Game 4…” 😅
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) May 14, 2023
(via @lonniewalker_4 / IG) pic.twitter.com/24f6B199oB
After raising his stock in the 2023 Playoffs, it was surprising to see Lonnie depart Los Angeles to sign a minimum deal with the Brooklyn Nets. It seemed like he was in line to receive a solid payday from a team with cap space, although Walker IV had other plans on his mind. In Brooklyn, Walker IV continued to be a serviceable shooter, knocking down 38% of his three-pointers this past season, and finishing top-10 in guards pull up 3PT%.
The top 10 guards in Pull Up 3PT%
— BBall Index (@The_BBall_Index) April 23, 2024
1. Mike Conley 45.2%
2. CJ McCollum 43.3%
3. Cameron Payne 42.9%
4. Jamal Murray 42.6%
5. Kyrie Irving 39.5%
6. Lonnie Walker IV 39.4%
7. Jrue Holiday 39.3%
8. D'Angelo Russell 39.1%
9. Darius Garland 38.8%
10. James Harden 38.5%
Early on, it even looked like Lonnie could be on track to be in the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award race, after a very impressive Fall stretch. An untimely hamstring injury put an end to that campaign and Walker IV's game took a bit of a hit throughout the rest of the season.
Lonnie Walker IV looked like a 6MOY candidate to begin this season. Through November, Walker was averaging 14.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 48.9% from the field and 46.3% from deep. Wasn't the same after missing 17 games with a hamstring injury. https://t.co/YSyKBr3Yz7
— Sharif Phillips-Keaton (@SharifKeaton) April 21, 2024
Lonnie Walker IV can be streaky at times, but that's his player archetype at this point. But when he's on, you know he's tapped in, just look at what he did to the Warriors. Toronto currently has a talented shooting guard in Gary Trent Jr. on their roster, however, he is approaching free agency this offseason. There is some uncertainty surrounding Trent's future with the team as his market value may not align with the Raptors' plans moving forward, or he may just opt to leave outright. It would be nice to retain Gary, but if he's off the table, then Lonnie Walker IV is your guy.
Considering he is also the same age as Trent Jr. at 25 years old, Walker IV could fit right in with the Raptors' younger peers and the team could figure out how to maximize his shooting prowess. He isn't a striking prospect, but you know what you're getting with Lonnie, and his strengths help fix one of the Raptors' current weaknesses.