Entering a fresh, new era, the San Antonio Spurs will now face adversity in the form of a crucial injury before the NBA regular season even kicks off.
The team announced that rookie first-round draft pick Lonnie Walker IV suffered a torn meniscus and there is no timetable set for his return.
#Spurs rookie guard Lonnie Walker IV suffered a right medial meniscus tear during San Antonio’s preseason game. He will undergo surgery on Monday pic.twitter.com/kOlcstgruv
— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) October 6, 2018
While no official timetable has been set by the Spurs or team doctors, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that he will likely return in 6-8 weeks.
ESPN Source: Early timeframe for Spurs first-round pick Lonnie Walker, who'll undergo surgery Monday for a meniscus tear: Six to eight weeks.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 6, 2018
With the Big 3 era now well in the rearview and the departure of Kawhi Leonard still fresh, a lot rides on this season for the San Antonio Spurs. New acquisition DeMar DeRozan is expected to carry a large portion of the offensive load, something that has proven to wear him down as the season continues on, especially in the playoffs.
Lonnie Walker IV was expected to take some of that pressure off DeRozan but with him now sidelined, the Spurs will have to open the season without one of their most exciting young pieces. Walker IV was drafted 18th overall by the Spurs this summer after many saw him as a lottery pick or, potentially, even a top ten draft selection.
Instead, Walker fell into the Spurs’ lap at 18, fitting one of their most glaring needs perfectly and bringing his impressive athleticism and shot creation to the table. But with Danny Green also a part of the Kawhi Leonard deal and Walker IV now sidelined, the wing position opposite of DeRozan appears thinner than ever.
While it was no guarantee Walker IV would’ve started immediately, he was surely on his way to holding down significant minutes alongside DeRozan and young point guard Dejounte Murray in San Antonio’s guard rotation.
Now with Lonnie Walker IV out of the mix, the Spurs will likely turn to dependable veteran Rudy Gay, who had become accustomed to a bench role, to start at the other wing opposite of DeRozan. Bryn Forbes, Marco Belinelli, and Patty Mills may all also see an increased role as Walker IV makes his way back from his meniscus injury.
