Which 76ers Guard Could Be on the Way Out After Lonnie Walker IV Signing?
The Philadelphia 76ers recently signed veteran wing Lonnie Walker IV to a two-year, three million deal. This will be Walker’s seventh NBA season, previously spending time with the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, and Brooklyn Nets. He spent this past training camp with the Boston Celtics but was ultimately released. He then went to go play in the EuroLeague for Zalgiris Kaunas. Walker is a career 35.6% three-point shooter who will now add some shooting depth to the bench as Philadelphia looks to make a playoff push towards the back half of the NBA season. The Sixers are currently 20-34 amid a five-game losing streak. The franchise currently sits one and a half games back of the Chicago Bulls for the final spot in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament. Walker will now take some weight off Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt with his shooting capabilities and ability to space the floor.
The deal with the 26-year-old includes a team option in the second season, and Walker essentially fills in the final 15-man roster spot as Philadelphia looks towards any postseason possibilities. Walker fits the mold of several players that currently sit on Philadelphia’s roster, and signing him could pave the way for the front office to let go of another backcourt piece. If Walker is intended to be a part of the rotation from here on out, the Sixers may look to free up some space by letting another wing go. This could be 36-year-old Eric Gordon, who’s averaging 6.8 points on 42.6% shooting this season. Gordon’s age has made it difficult for him to contribute on most areas of the floor, specifically defensively. Gordon has been held scoreless in his last two games and has scored five points total through the three games he’s played in February. Another name could be an exciting yet inefficient young piece in Ricky Council IV. Council’s inefficiency has made it tough for the young former undrafted prospect to be a true contributor despite his motor, as he is shooting just 41.4% from the field this season and a mere 30.4% from the perimeter.
Council has played five minutes or less in each of the last five games he’s appeared in for Philadelphia, and his lack of play could pave the way for the 76ers to move on from him in hopes of finding a more valuable piece to aid to a potential playoff push for the team. Gordon is set to earn $3.3 million this season and next with a player option after this season. With his age and lack of productivity, he’s another candidate to be released before the regular season’s end. One or both of Gordon and Council seem to be on the chopping block for Philadelphia after the signing of Walker, as the franchise could desperately look for more depth off the bench if they want to contend for a playoff spot.
