Loni Walker Returns to NBA, Signs One-Year Deal with Denver Nuggets

After a summer of searching for an NBA return, Loni Walker, former Maccabi Tel Aviv guard, has finalized a one-year contract with the Denver Nuggets worth $3.3 million. Walker held an NBA exit clause in his Maccabi contract valued at $2.2 million net, which expired three weeks ago, but the Israeli club extended it to allow him to continue pursuing NBA opportunities. He will now leave Maccabi without financial compensation but with a waiver of his Israeli contract, marking his return to the NBA after a year in Europe.

Maccabi Tel Aviv anticipated Walker's departure and has signed Keaton Wallace, a guard from the Atlanta Hawks, on a two-year deal to strengthen their backcourt alongside Yam Madar, Iffe Lundberg, and Jimmy Clark. Walker was originally drafted 18th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs and has played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. He notably stood out during the 2023 NBA playoffs, including a memorable game against the Golden State Warriors.

Before joining Maccabi, Walker started the previous season with Žalgiris Kaunas but used an exit clause to join the Philadelphia 76ers mid-season. Last summer, after not securing an NBA contract, he signed a three-year deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv that included an annual NBA opt-out clause. Now, he returns to the league he most desired to play in, earning a fresh opportunity.

Keaton Wallace, standing 1.90 meters tall and capable of playing point and shooting guard, began his career at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Undrafted in 2021, he started in the NBA G League before joining the Atlanta Hawks for the past two seasons. In 2024/25, Wallace averaged 5.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 16.2 minutes over 31 games, and in 2025/26, he contributed 3.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 10.1 minutes across 53 games, shooting 37.3% from three-point range. He is known for his athleticism, defensive skills, ball pressure, and playmaking abilities.