Lonnie Walker IV has returned to the NBA after reaching a separation agreement with his EuroLeague team. Walker has signed a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the Denver Nuggets, marking his return to the league after a one-year absence. This move signals a fresh start for the veteran guard as he looks to make an impact in Denver.
Walker spent last season playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv after signing a multi-year deal. According to reports, he averaged 15.2 points and 2.5 rebounds during his time with the EuroLeague squad. His transition back to the United States comes as he aims to bolster the Nuggets' rotation.
A Proven NBA Veteran
The 18th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Walker kicked off his professional career with the San Antonio Spurs. He spent 208 games on the court over four years (2018-22), where he averaged 20.4 minutes per game, contributing 9.4 points and 2.4 rebounds. His career path continued with stints across several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Walker's most productive season in the NBA occurred during his tenure with the Lakers. He appeared in 56 games, starting 32, and averaged a career-high 11.7 points per game. He now joins a Denver Nuggets roster that is eager to rebound from an early playoff exit last season.
Nuggets Look to Rebound
The Nuggets finished the previous campaign with a 54-28 record, securing a playoff spot before falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 2-4 first-round series loss. This defeat marked the first time in four seasons that the team failed to advance to the semifinal round. With the addition of Walker, the organization hopes to regain its competitive edge.
While market analysts and traders currently rank the Nuggets lower on the list of championship contenders—assigning them a 3% chance to win the NBA Finals—the team remains focused on the upcoming season. The Oklahoma City Thunder currently lead the odds at 22%, followed by the San Antonio Spurs and the Philadelphia 76ers, the latter of which recently added LeBron James to their lineup.