It was always possible that Lonnie Walker IV would return to the NBA before his buyout clause expired. In fact, he’s been rumored to have multiple teams interested in his services since deciding to play abroad, most notably the reigning champion Boston Celtics. However, according to The Stein Line insider Marc Stein, Walker will remain with Lithuania’s BC Zalgiris for the remainder of 2024-25. The 26-year-old former first-round pick will then look to rejoin the NBA in 2025-26.
Lonnie Walker IV will finish this season with Lithuania’s BC Žalgiris, according to his agent George S. Langberg of GSL Sports Group.
Walker, 26, plans to return to the NBA next season. He had an NBA buyout in his EuroLeague deal through Feb. 18.
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— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 18, 2025
This season, Walker’s averaging 13.5 points per game while shooting 40.0 percent from three.
Lonnie Walker IV Not Returning To NBA Until Next Season
Plenty of teams could use an athletic wing with upside as a slasher, spot-up shooter, playmaker and defender.
Still, not all of them could’ve guaranteed Walker would see the court as much as he’d like. The Celtics, who signed him to a training camp contract in August, certainly couldn’t have promised Walker playing time given how deep their roster is. That may have been a factor in him deciding to stay with Zalgiris, as he’s currently playing 20.6 minutes per game.
With that in mind, Walker averaged 17.4 minutes per game last season. He played at least 23 minutes per game in the three seasons preceding 2023-24. When considering his age and previous experiences, he’s probably not trying to go backwards, warming the bench. Regression is a slippery slope for anyone, especially professional athletes.
Of course, Walker was lost in the shuffle during last summer’s free agency period; a casualty of financial constraints. This upcoming offseason may look different for him though. Several teams could have at least five roster slots to fill, including: the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Toronto Raptors.
Among the aforementioned teams, a number of them have a need for a player with Walker’s skillset. His fit with the Hawks, Hornets, Pacers, Spurs, and Raptors is particularly intriguing. That being said, it’s worth mentioning that Walker played for San Antonio his first four NBA seasons. That familiarity could prove important at the negotiating table and on the basketball court.
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