Lonnie Walker Signs One-Year Deal with Denver Nuggets After Leaving Maccabi Tel Aviv

Lonnie Walker has agreed to a one-year contract worth $3.3 million with the Denver Nuggets, according to his agent George S. Langberg, as reported by ESPN on Thursday. Walker previously played for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the EuroLeague last season but recently parted ways with the Israeli club, allowing them to seek a replacement. During his time with Maccabi, Walker averaged 15.2 points and 2.5 rebounds per game under a lucrative contract worth $2.2 million per season with an option for an additional year. Despite his talent, Walker struggled with consistency and injuries, and was notably benched during the playoff finals against Hapoel Tel Aviv by coach Oded Katash.

Walker last played in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2024/25 season, averaging 12.4 points per game. Entering his eighth NBA season, he was originally drafted in the first round of the 2018 draft out of the University of Miami and spent his first four years with the San Antonio Spurs, holding a career average of 10 points per game.

This summer, the Denver Nuggets have made several notable acquisitions, including EuroLeague Defensive Player of the Year Alpha Diallo and forward Marvin Bagley, while retaining restricted free agent Spencer Jones and guard Tyus Jones. According to Shams Charania, the additions of Walker’s offensive firepower and Diallo’s defense aim to compensate for the departure of Tim Hardaway Jr., who signed with the Miami Heat, and the potential exit of Payton Watson. Denver is actively negotiating with teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Los Angeles Clippers to complete a sign-and-trade deal involving Watson. The Nuggets currently stand as the only NBA team exceeding the "Second Apron" salary cap threshold.