X-Factor #2: What to Expect From Lonnie Walker IV

The Spurs made a big splash on draft night by drafting Miami’s Lonnie Walker. Walker was considered by many to be one of the better players in the draft, and the Spurs getting him at the 18th pick was considered to be a steal. Walker averaged 11.5 points per game as a freshman in college, an impressive feat considering the caliber of players he played against in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Walker is an exciting prospect with the ability to affect the game in several ways. He is an elite athlete, giving him the tools to excel on both offense and defense. He was impressive in the Summer League this year for the Spurs, and will likely feature heavily in their plans for the next several seasons.

Like Murray, Walker recently suffered an injury, as he tore his meniscus in the preseason. The prognosis for Walker’s return is set at six to eight weeks, meaning that he won’t miss most of the season. In an ideal situation, the Spurs would have likely preferred to have Walker play as a shooting guard, but with Dejounte Murray’s injury, it’s likely that he’ll get minutes at point guard this season.

If Walker’s play at Miami is any indication, he should thrive in the trial by fire. Walker was one of the better freshmen in college basketball last season when healthy, and if he can be one of the better rookies this season, it bodes well for the San Antonio Spurs.

Next Up: No. 3