The Philadelphia 76ers have not had the season they imagined when they signed Paul George to a very lucrative four-year, $212 million maximum contract. Though the 76ers have slowly improved, they still find themselves in a rough spot.
With newly acquired Quentin Grimes in the fold as well, the 76ers are looking to bolster their depth, and they’ve just made a signing that should provide that.
Lonnie Walker IV Leaves the EuroLeague for the 76ers
The Sixers are currently 20-34 as they sit just outside the play-in as the 11th seed, and they are 1.5 games behind the Chicago Bulls for the 10th seed and final spot in the play-in. Considering the Bulls could tank the rest of the year, it seems like a potentially safe bet that the Sixers will find their way into the play-in unless things go even further south for them.
Former Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV has joined Philadelphia on a two-year, $3.7 million deal, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Walker was an important piece to the Los Angeles Lakers during their 2022-23 NBA playoff run, as he famously helped them clinch a pivotal game against the Golden State Warriors. Since then, Walker has played 58 games with the Brooklyn Nets in the 2023-24 season, coming off the bench before departing to join Basketball Club Žalgiris in EuroLeague.
During his time in the EuroLeague, Walker had his struggles, but he averaged 13.6 points and 3.2 rebounds during his time with Žalgiris.
His final performance in the EuroLeague likely caught the attention of the 76ers, as he finished with 22 points and seven rebounds against Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano on Feb. 6.
How Will Walker Help The 76ers?
Walker will likely see a sizable role off the bench, as the 76ers have struggled with injuries all season long. His athleticism and scoring ability will be welcome additions to the 76ers roster.
The Sixers could use some assistance on the offensive end, as they currently ranked 22nd in offensive rating and need a jolt of life to correct the course.
If Walker can provide that scoring punch and utilize his athleticism to bring some defense to the team, he will be a useful addition to the roster.
The question is whether the 76ers can make it out of their current hole as the 11th seed. While they may overtake the Bulls for the 10th seed, Brooklyn currently sits with the same record as Chicago and has been competitive.
If the 76ers aren’t careful, they could find themselves out of the play-in by season’s end, but with the Walker signing, they’re clearly taking the steps to prevent that.
