Former Maccabi Guard Lonnie Walker Faces Possible Cut Before NBA Season with Denver Nuggets

Maccabi Tel Aviv officially announced the departure of guard Lonnie Walker on August 6, 2026. Previously reported in the United States as signing a guaranteed contract with the Denver Nuggets, new information reveals a significant twist. According to Denver Post reporter Bennett Durando, Walker's deal with the Nuggets is only for training camp, meaning he must compete for a roster spot and could be cut before the NBA season begins. Currently, Denver has two open roster spots, and Walker's position is not assured.

This is not the first time Walker has faced such uncertainty; in summer 2024, he was on a similar non-guaranteed contract with the Boston Celtics during training camp but was cut before eventually joining Zalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania. Now, Walker is again gambling on securing a place in the NBA, with the risk of ending up without a contract.

Denver's roster situation remains complex, with many guaranteed contracts already in place and the expected addition of Payton Watson. The team still lacks a reliable backup point guard capable of managing the offense under pressure. Observers suggest Denver may be seeking a major trade to address these roster challenges, as Walker's signing does not resolve their depth issues at the guard position.