Lonnie Walker IV is heading into his second NBA season with some level of incertitude. The San Antonio Spurs will need his talents after playing in only 17 games last season due to sustaining a right medial meniscus tear a week before the start of the 2018-19 season, but he's fully cognizant that he's yet to cement a place in the rotation.

“I've been working my tail off,” Walker, who has taken part in the NBA's Summer League in Las Vegas, told Rich Scarcella of The Reading Eagle. “I've been working in silence, not trying to show everyone what I'm doing or showing off. It was all about the grind. I'm happy. My coach (Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon) said it best. Hard work always pays off, but it's different when it finally starts to show.

“I feel like I got to show my talents in the Summer League and show who Lonnie Walker is and that I'm comfortable in my skin. It's all about continuing to get better. I still have a lot to learn. I'm ready to learn all of it.”

Walker is admittedly“very excited” about his projection to be part of San Antonio's regular rotation, but he's plenty aware that nothing is quite set in stone yet.

“It's all about gaining Coach Pop's trust and gaining those minutes,” he said. “My position is not solidified. I still have a lot to work on. I still have a lot to prove.”

The 18th overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft averaged 2.6 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game in a very limited run for Gregg Popovich.