San Antonio Spurs: 2018 NBA Draft grades

No. 18: Lonnie Walker IV, Miami

With the No. 18 pick in the first round, the San Antonio Spurs drafted the only player with a hairstyle that can keep his hat suspended a clear six inches above his ears. Walker’s locks put even the most outlandish NBA hairstyles to shame.

They make Elfrid Payton‘s doo look like a gentlemen’s cut. It’s shocking, really.

The 19-year-old guard from the University of Miami ended up falling to the Spurs and they wasted no time snapping him up despite his questionable hairstyle. Walker just might turn out to be one of the biggest steals in the 2018 NBA Draft. Let me explain why.

First of all, he is an unbelievable athlete. He has an NBA-ready body already and he isn’t even 20 years old yet. In his only year at University of Miami, he averaged 11.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. He shot 73.8 percent from the free throw line and 34.6 percent from 3-point range.

Walker is an explosive player who can shoot the ball, and he even hit four game-winners for the Hurricanes this year. In his draft night interview, he said that the Spurs can expect “hard work and dedication, day in and day out” from him.

Lonnie Walker IV has all the makings of a great player in this league, but there is one main concern, and that is his health. This is the only conceivable reason that he didn’t go higher in the draft. Last summer he suffered a meniscus tear, and he tweaked it again in his latest season with Miami.

If he can stay healthy it’s scary to think how much he could improve under head coach Gregg Popovich. Either way, the risk is worth the reward. The upside with this pick is huge.

Grade: A+