One of the few consistent Los Angeles Lakers themes for the last half-decade is the never-ending bench overturn. Whether or not the bench needs improvement, the Lakers are always shuffling pieces in an attempt to find answers. This should continue in the 2025 offseason as the franchise turns the page to a new superstar. However, this doesn't mean Laker fans aren't paying attention to the fate of former players. Whether it is Alex Caruso becoming a vital part of what appears to be an NBA title team or Lonnie Walker clinging to his roster spot.
Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer took the time to explain how Walker's roster spot is likely tied to how the Philadelphia 76ers attack draft night. If the team were to add to the position, there is no reason to pick up Walker's team option. The team will need a reason to believe Walker is needed for depth and not wasted cap space for the 2025-26 season.
Former Laker Lonnie Walker Finds Himself in Potentially Precarious Position
Walker was with the Lakers for the 2022-23 season before spending time with the Nets and now the 76ers. While the playing time was uneven in Los Angeles, Walker did manage a handful of truly impressive moments. This included a great playoff run against the hated Denver Nuggets. When Walker heated up, there was no stopping the ball from going in.
The problem with this is the fact that when Walker wasn't hot, the scorer could be a liability on the defensive end. What exactly the Lakers were going to get from Walker was anyone's guess. Often, it would be a short stint to simply see if there was anything in the tank on that night. Walker simply wasn't a reliable bench piece despite his incredible scoring ceiling.
For this reason, the Lakers were wise to move on, and this might be the exact position the 76ers now find themselves. No matter how it plays out, Walker is simply too talented a scorer not to find a landing spot if the 76ers do opt to move on after this year's draft. No question, Walker had his moments, but the Lakers have no reason to regret turning the page.