Spurs exercise team options on Derrick White and Lonnie Walker

In their first free agency move for the 2020-21 season, the Spurs have exercised the fourth and third-year team options for Derrick White and Lonnie Walker IV, respectively. Per the Spurs’ official press release:

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have exercised their fourth-year team option on guard Derrick White and their third-year option on guard Lonnie Walker IV for the 2020-21 season.

White was a member of the USA Men’s National Team at the 2019 FIBA World Cup, playing in all eight games and averaging 5.9 points, 2.5 assists, 1.2 rebounds and 1.25 steals. He started 55 of his 62 appearances for the Spurs last season, averaging 9.9 points, 3.9 assists and 3.7 rebounds before posting 15.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in San Antonio’s seven playoff games. White is entering his third season with the Spurs after being selected by San Antonio in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft (29th overall).

Walker IV was named to the 2019 NBA Summer League Second Team after averaging 30.0 points in Las Vegas for the Spurs. He appeared in 17 games for the Silver and Black last season, averaging 2.6 points and 1.0 rebounds, as well as 29 games for the Austin Spurs where he averaged 16.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists. Walker IV is entering his second season in San Antonio after being picked by the Spurs in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft (18th overall). ​

White had a huge breakout season last year as he jumped from G-League mainstay his rookie season to starting guard for the Spurs. Together, he and Dejounte Murray have the potential to form the top defensive backcourt in the league.

Walker also spent most of his rookie season in Austin and will hopefully get a similar chance as White in his second season to crack the rotation with his superior athleticism and potential as a two-way force. With at least two more years of the White-Walker duo on the roster, hopefully there will be plenty of chances to break this gem out: