LAS VEGAS — The Nets are unrecognizable from a year ago, aging star power replaced by a young, athletic defensive-minded core.
Some saw the close of their championship window.
Free-agent signee Lonnie Walker IV saw opportunity.
And a hand-in-glove fit.
“[I saw] opportunity, understanding this is a very young core group looking to build, looking to grow, and I fit perfectly with the fellas that’s amongst the team as far as Cam [Johnson] and Mikal Bridges,” Walker said. “Off the court we have similar outlooks on life, and on the court we play very well. Our chemistry as far as growth and becoming a very special team is going to be something really nice.
“I’m 24 years old, very athletic guard, I can score in a plethora of different ways. Being able to just identify myself on the defensive side, being that dog and having players that are going to bring that energy as well consistently, it’s going to be a very easy transition. We all have similar intentions and knowing what we want to be — that’s to be great — every single day we’re just going to continue to try and be better than we were yesterday and just stack the days.”
Walker, a 2018 Spurs first-round pick, inked a one-year minimum contract with Brooklyn.
It came after averaging 11.7 points in 45.8/36.5/85.8 percent shooting splits last season with the Lakers.
Despite missing time with a knee injury, the shooting guard showed up in the clutch.
He put up 48.3/38.2/75.0 splits in the playoffs and poured in a 15-point fourth quarter in the Lakers’ second-round Game 4 win over Golden State.
Read Related Also: LeBron James' Son Bronny In Stable Condition After Suffering Cardiac Arrest
Presuming the Nets deploy Bridges as a shooting guard, their backups are in flux.
Aging Patty Mills and Joe Harris are gone, replaced by younger, athletic defenders like Walker and Dennis Smith Jr., 25, who could mesh well on the second unit.
“Absolutely, for sure it’s going to be a terrific time as far as kissing the rim, to say the least. I guess I’m not going to be the only one,” Walker said. “I know what he’s bringing to the table. I told him we’re going to lock in, we’re going to turn it up, we’re going to have some fun.”
With a 6-foot-10 wingspan that belies his 6-4 height, Walker is capable of being a defensive disruptor.
He won’t be the dead-eye Harris is, but if he can shoot as well as he did last season, he can contribute.
“Absolutely,” Walker said. “All I need is just some opportunity to show what my game is, and this is just the perfect place as far as opportunity playing the right way, winning and growing.”
Brooklyn smothered Milwaukee, 92-71, in summer league action.
David Duke Jr. poured in 24 points and grabbed eight boards.
Speedy Kennedy Chandler added 17 points and seven assists, getting downhill at will.
The Nets forced 25 turnovers and held the Bucks to 37.5 percent shooting, including 7 of 28 (25 percent) from 3.
