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3 former Lakers thriving elsewhere to start 2023-24

By Jason Reed

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 09: Lonnie Walker IV #8 of the Brooklyn Nets is guarded by Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter of their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on October 09, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Nets 129-126. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 09: Lonnie Walker IV #8 of the Brooklyn Nets is guarded by Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter of their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on October 09, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Nets 129-126. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers have seen a lot of talented players come and go throughout the years. That is the story of a title-contending team that constantly has to filter out the supporting cast around its two stars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

While the Lakers do a great job of elevating talent when it comes to LA, there are also times in which that talent thrives elsewhere. That is certainly the case with these former Lakers, who are off to a red-hot start to begin the new season.

3 former Lakers thriving elsewhere:

Lonnie Walker IV is thriving with the Brooklyn Nets

Letting Lonnie Walker IV leave in free agency to sign a minimum contract with the Brooklyn Nets felt like a mistake when it happened. It has not taken long for Walker to make that feeling turn into a reality as he has been balling out on the other side of the country for the Brooklyn Nets.

The former Laker is averaging 15 points and shooting 46% from three in only 21.2 minutes per game. While his defense still is below average, Walker is proving the same thing that he proved in LA: he is a marksman who can be a microwave scorer off the bench.

Walker is the kind of player that can swing a game, and in the right setting, can swing an entire playoff series. That is exactly what he did in Game 4 against the Golden State Warriors, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter to win that game for the Lakers in last year’s NBA Playoffs. Without Walker, that series would have been tied 2-2 and who knows what would have happened from there.

Cam Reddish has essentially taken the Walker role and with so much scoring already on the roster, it is clear that the Lakers wanted to prioritize defense. But still, there probably was room for Walker on this roster somewhere.

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