Former Lakers Guard Garnering Interest From Western Conference Rival
By Jovan Alford
Former Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV shockingly went unsigned in NBA free agency and signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Boston Celtics before training camp in September.
Walker played well in the preseason with the Celtics, averaging 7.2 points, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game. Boston ultimately waived the 25-year-old guard after he decided against joining Boston’s G League affiliate (Maine Celtics), per John Karalis.
Lonnie Walker, I'm told, made the choice not to join the Maine Celtics after he was cut. Exhibit 10 guys have to sign on for the assignment, and Walker chose to pursue other opportunities.
— John Karalis 🇬🇷🇺🇦 (@John_Karalis) October 28, 2024
Not too long after getting cut, the former Lakers guard signed an overseas contract with Zalgiris Kaunas of the Euroleague. Walker’s deal reportedly has an NBA buyout clause until Feb. 18, which allows him to sign with any team in the Association.
Nevertheless, one Western Conference team has already expressed interest in the former Los Angeles guard.
On Monday, longtime NBA scribe Marc Stein reported that the Denver Nuggets have emerged as a “team to watch” along with Boston for Walker’s potential NBA return.
Denver has emerged as a "team to watch" alongside Boston for Lonnie Walker's potential NBA return as the season unfolds, league sources tell @TheSteinLine
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 4, 2024
More on Walker's move to the EuroLeague with Žalgiris Kaunas in the latest This Week In Basketball: https://t.co/I1HDxIpOpb
The Nuggets have all 18 roster spots filled, including their three two-way spots. Therefore, if Denver wants to sign the former Laker, they must release someone from their 15-man roster.
Lakers fans likely don’t want to see Walker join the Nuggets, who have been a thorn in their sides for the last two postseasons. The 25-year-old shooting guard joined the Lakers for the 2022-23 season after spending his first four years with the San Antonio Spurs.
Walker scored 11.7 points per game on 44.8 percent shooting from the field and 36.5 percent shooting from three-point range during his lone season with the Lakers.
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