Just days after Brooklyn Nets wing Lonnie Walker IV was lamenting his diminished role, interim head coach Kevin Ollie has responded to the question that was ultimately posed by the 25-year-old:
What does he have to do to get more playing time?
Kevin Ollie Responds to Lonnie Walker IV’s Playing Time Question
“All the little things,” Ollie answers, per the New York Post’s Brian Lewis.
“Playing defense. Rebounding. Making the right plays. That’s just how it is. So have him understand that and when your shot’s not falling, doing the other things to make an impact on the game.”
There’s nothing amiss about Ollie’s comments in and of themselves. However, as noted in a separate article, Ollie may be moving the goalposts for Walker. Before former head coach Jacque Vaughn was removed from his post, one of his issues was focusing on Cam Thomas’ weaknesses to the point where he undermined his development with relatively playing time.
Notably, Thomas recently discussed his growth as a facilitator, citing his increased opportunities as the reason for it. Thomas also points out that most players have a score-first mindset when they’re not getting in much. A chicken-and-egg conversation can be had about players proving their worth when they get playing time and needing reps to develop.
Nonetheless, the 22-year-old’s message rings true for many players:
“If anybody doesn’t really play much, then they get in for a few spurts — I mean, let’s be real — nobody’s looking to pass when they first get in, they’re looking to get some buckets.”
“I’d say I’ve grown as a passer because I’m playing more,” Thomas says.
Better Than Given Credit For
Thomas has shown greater offensive potential so his development is being prioritized. Still, the approach to developing Thomas and Walker should be similar given the latter’s scoring upside.
Over the past three seasons, Walker averages 19.1 points per 36 minutes. Consider that in his first two seasons, Thomas averaged 19.9 points per 36 minutes and there was no shortage of calls for him to receive more playing time.
Walker has long shown he has playmaking upside. Though he’s a more natural scorer than facilitator, he can make solid reads off-dribble. His biggest area of need is growing his passing skills; variety, timing, and dexterity. He also needs to consistently think about making the right play.
However, as Thomas says, Walker will need increased opportunities to properly improve in this area.
At the defensive end, Walker’s efforts have been inconsistent as well. Nonetheless, he’s had several impressive games as a man-to-man defender. For example, his defense was a game-changer in Game 4 of the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals.
With what he’s shown thus far, Walker is a better player than given credit for.
That being said, he’ll be a free agent this offseason. Thus, his main priority should be entering the offseason healthy. Of course, he may still re-sign with the Nets. However, his career doesn’t seem like it’ll take off in Brooklyn, especially if Ollie is hired as the full-time head coach.
