Ex-Maccabi Star Lonnie Walker Joins Besiktas Amidst Skepticism

Former Maccabi Tel Aviv player Lonnie Walker has officially signed with Turkish club Besiktas, returning to the EuroLeague after his recent release from the Denver Nuggets. While some Turkish commentators view the signing as a positive addition, others have been highly critical.

Commentator Murat Murathanoğlu expressed strong reservations about the move, stating, "I really don't like Lonnie Walker. He might win you some games alone, but he can also lose you games." Murathanoğlu questioned the team's center rotation for the EuroLeague and suggested they needed a player for that position instead. He voiced concerns that Walker's acquisition, which was not free and involved interest from two other clubs, could "ruin the team."

Murathanoğlu recalled broadcasting many of Walker's games, particularly during his time with Maccabi Tel Aviv, acknowledging his ability to score 11-15 points. However, he noted that for teams like Besiktas, positioned in the lower-middle tier of the EuroLeague, such talent is tempting but its drawbacks are significant. He described Walker as a player who "steals the whole show" rather than taking a small role, and doesn't easily fit into supporting roles, even if given a primary one.

"My feeling is not positive," Murathanoğlu concluded. "I don't want to be too negative in advance, but if Besiktas is spending these amounts, I don't think they should do it on Lonnie Walker." He advised the club to invest in a tall player to strengthen their interior rotation and elevate them to EuroLeague level, arguing that paying a high price for Walker necessarily reduces their budget for other players.