San Antonio Spurs: 4 Bold Predictions For Next Season

Lonnie Walker IV will be a 6MOTY candidate for the San Antonio Spurs

Lonnie Walker will enter his fourth season poised to breakout. Assuming he isn’t extended in the offseason, Walker will more than likely have plenty of motivation to show out next season given that it will be a contract year for him. Moreover, next season could be a defining year for him in terms of whether or not he'll be a long-term piece of the Spurs young core.

Walker averaged 11.2 points in 25.4 minutes per game, while often playing as the third or fourth scoring option. This was also his first full season where he more or less had a distinct role of his own, as he was no longer forced to wait for minutes behind Bryn Forbes and Marco Belinelli. Were he to continue in his bench role, Lonnie could excel in a full-time role as an off-the-bench microwave scorer.

It's also worth noting, besides the fact that he was far from being a primary scorer for the Spurs, that he generally didn't have the ball in his hands too much. In fact, he trailed eight other Spurs players in touches per game, yet also led the entire team in points per touch.

With some extra motivation and an increase in usage, he can make a big jump in both scoring and playmaking. Guards, particularly high-scoring guards, often win the Sixth Man of the Year, with this past season's winner Jordan Clarkson being a prime example. Were Lonnie to have a strong season he could find himself in the conversation for the award.