Former 76ers wing Lonnie Walker IV is trying to claw his way back into the NBA, but the road in Denver comes with no shortcuts.
Walker has signed a one-year deal with the Nuggets, giving him a chance to return after spending last season in Europe. The catch is a big one: his contract is non-guaranteed, so nothing is secure before the regular season even begins. Training camp and the preseason will decide whether he sticks.
His most recent NBA run came with the 76ers in the 2024-25 campaign, when injuries ravaged Philadelphia’s roster. Walker played in 20 games, made seven starts, and averaged 12.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in just under 24 minutes per night.
Philadelphia chose not to bring him back for the following season, instead using its roster spots on more veteran options. That left Walker looking overseas, and he spent the previous campaign with Maccabi Tel Aviv in the EuroLeague.
Denver’s interest makes sense on paper. The Nuggets need more scoring punch from the bench, and Walker offers that.
But the fit is not automatic, especially with DeMar DeRozan arriving and presumably settling into a major bench role. Walker will need to put together a strong camp to convince Denver’s front office he belongs on the trip.
He can score in a bunch of ways, but efficiency has been the issue. Walker is a career 42.2 percent shooter from the field and 35.6 percent from 3-point range. Those numbers are respectable enough to keep him in the conversation, but not strong enough to carry his case by themselves.
If he wants to lock down that final roster spot, he has to bring more than points. Walker has the physical tools to help defensively, but his awareness on that end has been shaky. His secondary playmaking also needs to take a step, especially after past decision-making issues during his first stint with the Spurs.
Walker still has the profile of a rotation-level piece on a good team. Now he has to prove it again, and quickly, if this comeback with Denver is going to last.
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