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2023 Orlando Magic Offseason Needs: Lockdown a Deadeye to build a Culture

By Anthony Prodanovich

Apr 16, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) shoots as Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) defends during the first half during game one of the 2023 NBA playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) shoots as Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) defends during the first half during game one of the 2023 NBA playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 12, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV (4) reacts after a 3 point basket in the second half of game six of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV (4) reacts after a 3 point basket in the second half of game six of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

2023 Orlando Magic Offseason Needs: Perimeter Sharpshooters

Lonnie Walker IV, Los Angeles Lakers

You may think to yourself, “L . . . Lonnie Walker IV?” the player who until Game 6 of the second round series between the Los Angeles and Golden State Warriors was fairly nondescript until he single-handedly kept the Lakers alive in the second half with a 14-point outburst?

Yes, that Lonnie Walker IV.

The idea behind the Orlando Magic adding Lonnie Walker would be similar to that of what the Sacramento Kings  did in this past offseason where they added Malik Monk off of the Los Angeles Lakers. Monk averaged 19 points in the postseason making the King formidable in their run to break their historic playoff drought.

Walker is a career 35 percent shooter from three with this past season having 95 percent of his long distance shots assisted on. He still has areas he needs to improve as a shooter. But the former Miami Hurricane has always had a ton of untapped potential.

Out of his five seasons so far in the league, he has shown he is an above average shooter when given the opportunity to be an off-ball shooter rather than the sole creator. Looking at his rookie, sophomore and this season combined, the average three point percentage is 38.4 percent.

The key there? Winning teams.

For his career when playing more than 30-plus minutes, Walker averages 19 points per game, 3 rebounds per game and 2 assists per game while shooting 49 percent from the field and 44 percent from three on 5.9 attempts.

Orlando shouldn’t direct their attention fully to Walker IV but as an option if others fall through.

Walker could play exactly like the pre-mentioned Monk, making $6 million this year, any contract offer under $10 million a year over 2-3 years could help make the Magic backcourt and shooting options robust.