With roster deadlines closing in, Lonnie Walker IV has suddenly become a name to watch for the Miami Heat.
Walker IV was reportedly waived on Monday after signing an Exhibit 9 contract with the Denver Nuggets in early September, according to league insider Michael Scott of Hoops Hype. The 27-year-old was trying to work his way back to the NBA after spending last season in EuroLeague, where he put up 15.2 points per game on 39.4 percent shooting, along with 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 28 games for Maccabi Tel Aviv.
That scoring touch is exactly why he fits the conversation in Miami. Erik Spoelstra is still leaning on pieces of last season’s fast-paced approach - the one built around not calling plays and letting the offense flow - and Walker IV profiles as the kind of bench scorer who can change the temperature of a game in a hurry.
The Heat have some shooting around him already. Nikola Jovic, Bobby Portis Jr., Pelle Larsson, and Tim Hardaway Jr. can space the floor, but the issue is consistency. Miami may have nights when the offense stalls, and that’s where Walker IV’s ability to create his own points becomes especially appealing.
He’s already shown he can swing big moments. In Game 4 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals against the Golden State Warriors in 2023, the former first-round pick scored 15 points on 66.7 percent shooting - all in the fourth quarter - while adding three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Walker IV helped push the Lakers to a 3-1 series lead, and they closed the series in six games.
There’s also a clean financial path for Miami if it wants to act. The Heat could sign him to a two-year, veteran minimum deal and remain below the $2.83 first-apron threshold. On Tuesday, Walker IV also hired sports agent Misko Raznatovic, the CEO and founder of BeoBasket, and while he is expected to find Walker IV work overseas, Miami could still make a quick call.
The preseason is in its final stretch, and all teams must finalize standard rosters by next Monday, Oct. 19.
The Heat also have the ability to make late changes elsewhere, including with veteran center Nick Richards’ non-guaranteed contract. Spoelstra has a track record of getting the most out of talent, and Walker IV is still looking for another NBA shot.
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