Dennis Schroder happy to be reunited on Nets with positive-minded friend Lonnie Walker IV

During Dennis Schroder's time with the Lakers, there wasn't anything that teammate Lonnie Walker did on the court that stood out in his memory. However, Schroder vividly recalls a favorite saying of Walker’s that always came out when they arrived for practice.

“When you see him in the morning, I don’t know if you guys experience it, he always says, ‘Grateful morning’,” Schroder said. “I really think about stuff like that because at the end of the day . . . the next day is never promised.”

Walker’s positivity made it easy for Schroder to feel comfortable joining the Nets after his trade. The two spent just one season together in Los Angeles but Schroder remembered the way Walker carried himself.

Seeing a familiar face in the Nets locker room made the transition easy as Schroder spent last Thursday chatting with teammates and getting to know his surroundings.

“I’m just being grateful having him again. He’s a really hard worker and I work extremely hard as well,” Schroder said. “I've always seen him in the gym working on his game even if he didn’t play. He always was positive to his teammates and the front office.”

“Just looking forward to a guy who is really positive. I try to do the same thing and get everybody on the same side.”

For Walker, who returned Saturday after missing two games with a hamstring injury, the trade deadline was a double reunion. He spent two seasons on the Spurs with Keita Bates-Diop, who arrived in Brooklyn from the Suns. Bates-Diop added that he and Walker go back even further to sharing pre-draft workouts in 2018.

The time with Schroder was much shorter yet impactful. While Schroder recalled Walker’s great attitude, Walker remembered Schroder as a teammate who helped during low moments when an injury cost Walker a starting role.

“Me and him have had some very serious talks,” said Walker, who started 18 games with Schroder on the Lakers. “He really helped me out a lot last year with the Lakers as far as staying upbeat, staying ready, staying professional and stuff like that.

“So he's just a great guy overall and one hell of a leader.”

As the only Nets player who’s been a teammate of Schroder, Walker wasn’t surprised how comfortable he looked in his debut with 15 points and 12 assists off the bench. He knows Schroder had to do the same thing last season on a team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

It’s also why coach Jacque Vaughn called Schroder a professional that understands what’s needed of him. Things also got easier Monday with Schroder able to practice and study his teammates on the court.

“These guys got to get a feel and sense. He just has different movements,” Vaughn said. “The previous pick and roll could look different a week ago than with Dennis. Getting our bigs to feel that, you got to go through practice with that a little bit.”

For Walker, it’ll be smoother given his past with Schroder and Bates-Diop. All three are now part of a deep Nets second unit that gets Day’Ron Sharpe back Tuesday after he missed a month with a knee injury.

But few people were happier for Schroder’s debut than Walker. It’s a reunion neither one could’ve expected after last season and it’s made them grateful and even more positive heading into the All-Star break.

“There's nothing like getting back together with your friends, people you consistently talk to and share memories and bonds with,” Walker said. “I can't complain. God is good."

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.