1. Lonnie Walker IV
Lastly, Lonnie Walker IV was the 18th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft selected by the San Antonio Spurs. He spent his first four seasons there and didn't play. That well. Then signed a one-year contract with the Lakers in 2022 and played phenomenally, coming off the bench for them.
Then, on July 10, he signed a one-year contract worth just over $2 million with Brooklyn. Based on the rules of signing a new contract, December 15th comes after the three-month mark when the contract was signed, meaning Lonnie Walker will be able to be traded in a few weeks.
After a slow start to his career in San Antonio, Walker figured out how to play in this league with the Lakers. His shooting became much better and had a really great come in the playoffs to lead a comeback in game four of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Warriors.
The Nets got Walker on a very cheap contract, considering how well he played last season. So far this season, he is playing the best basketball of his career. He's averaging 14.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists on .489/.463/.763 shooting splits. All are career highs behind his three-point shooting.
Walker has come off the bench for 16 games that he's played in and as of right now, he's in the running for sixth man of the year. Considering how cheap of a contract he has and how well he has played, he can become a valuable trade piece.
If the Nets aren't performing to the expectations they thought they were, a trade for a star player may be in the works. The Nets could use Walker in that package if they need to, but they can't trade him until December 15th.