“They Just Building Trade Assets for KD and Kyrie”: LeBron James’ Lakers Signing 23 Year Old Former McDonald’s All-American Star Sends NBA Fans in a Meltdown

LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers have gone for the unexpected. They have signed former McDonald’s All-American Star Lonnie Walker IV from the San Antonio Spurs. He has agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Lakers. They used up their taxpayer midlevel exception to acquire him. The San Antonio Spurs canceled their qualifying offer to Walker before the start of free agency.

They removed him from the list of restricted free agents. Walker joins the team after four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs. They drafted him with the 18th overall choice in the 2018 NBA Draft out of the University of Miami.

Walker averaged 12.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists last season. He came off the bench in 64 of his 70 games played. According to the new Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham, they need a good solid young core. Walker is a step in that direction.

Although he is not a great illustration of the archetypical “3-and-D” wing that the Lakers wanted, his extraordinary athleticism suggests enormous upside. He shot below league average 31.4 percent on 5.0 three-point tries a game last season. It puts his D-LEBRON (B-Ball Index’s defensive impact metric) ranking in the league’s third percentile. It is a brutal statistic in favor of him.

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Some NBA fans went into meltdown hearing this acquisition. Lakers fans were expecting bigger names meanwhile rival fans were expecting somewhat expecting such acquisitions. The latter got what they wanted. It left Lakers fans reeling. These are some of the reactions from NBA Twitter:

LeBron James’ Lakers aim for Kyrie Irving

The Los Angeles Lakers may have been expecting Kyrie Irving this summer. They reportedly tried to entice Irving from the Brooklyn Nets in a trade that involved Russell Westbrook.  It was summarily rejected by the Nets. It forced the maverick point guard to sign a one-year $30 million-plus player option with the Nets.

With the news of Kevin Durant’s departure being reported, many teams are expected to call for him. Irving is not in as much demand compared to KD. But the Lakers do want him. He is a former teammate of LeBron James. The reunion might just give the franchise a boost. Hence, it was necessary for them to acquire someone like Walker who doesn’t eat too much of the cap. They have also removed Malik Monk from their roster. Whether it’s a bad move or not, only time can tell.

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It will be easier next year due to Westbrook’s contract situation. Fans will be hoping that this James and Irving reunion leads to a title and not a toxic locker room.