Just a day after announcing that star import Casey Prather won’t be coming back for a shot at a three-peat next season, the Perth Wildcats have today announced the signing of 25 year-old Devondrick Walker out of the NBA G-League.
What we know of Walker so far, is that he’s a 6’5 wing who specialises in knocking down the three-ball, and that he’s fresh off winning the G-Leagues Most Improved player award while playing for the Delaware 87’ers.
In 38 games playing for the 87’ers, Walker averaged 12.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, and made a name for himself after going 12-of-12 from downtown across the NBA’s D-League showcase back in January this year.
He also participated in the recent NBA-Summer League with Utah Jazz where he averaged 9.8 points per game.
Wildcats assistant coach Adam Forde spoke with media shortly after the signing, and this is what he had to say.
“He can handle the ball, he can get to the basket, he has the ability to push the ball in transition, but the fact that he can knock down that three-point shot is the big tick for us,” Forde said.
“In terms of fit, he will free up Bryce and the rest of the team to create, and gives us another weapon on the perimeter.”
Whilst Wildcats fans will no doubt be disappointed that fan favourite Prather isn’t returning, the prospect of pairing Walker’s elite long-range shooting with newly re-signed import Bryce Cotton, is sure to keep the Red Army excited, and will give point guard Damian Martin two deadly three-point shooters to kick the ball out to.
While Prather’s strengths were his athleticism and his excellent ability to slash through the lane and finish around the rim, the main area of weakness to his game was not being able to consistently knock down the three-ball, which at times allowed opposing teams to get an advantage by playing zone and clogging up the paint, forcing Prather into offensive charges and the Wildcats into bad offensive sets.
Perth will be hoping the signing of Walker addresses that issue, and allows them to space the floor better, and be significantly more potent from the outside.
The Wildcats now have just one roster spot remaining to complete their line-up for NBL season 18, which will almost certainly be used on an import centre who can block shots and rebound.