Lonnie Walker IV Reportedly Garnering NBA Interest After Celtics Split

Lonnie Walker IV signed with Zalgiris Kaunas in the EuroLeague shortly after being waived as the Boston Celtics assembled their regular-season roster but with an NBA buyout clause, the 25-year-old might not spend too much time in Lithuania.

Walker’s impressive preseason run with the Celtics, in fact, could be enough for the six-year veteran to join one of the most elite teams in the Western Conference: the Denver Nuggets. The 4-3 start to Denver’s season could prompt the organization to welcome Walker aboard, according to NBA insider Marc Stein, but the Nuggets must also keep in mind that Walker’s buyout clause only lasts until Feb. 18.

Boston initially signed Walker to an Exhibit 10 contract, granting him the opportunity to compete for a roster spot, however, it wasn’t Walker’s performance that restricted him from a seat on the bench. The Celtics, who re-signed Jayson Tatum to a record-large $315 million extension, Derrick White to a $125.9 million deal, and Sam Hauser to a $45 million agreement, were already well over the luxury tax. That means keeping Walker would’ve cost the franchise $10 million, even on a $2 million minimum salary.

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Members of the reigning champion Celtics roster, including Derrick White, who spent three-and-a-half seasons with Walker as teammates on the San Antonio Spurs, and Luke Kornet both offered their praises for Walker. In his lone preseason start — against the Toronto Raptors — Walker scored 20 points in 30 minutes and drained each of his first four 3-point attempts in a 115-113 Boston victory.

The Nuggets, meanwhile, could use a spark. Two years removed from their championship capture, Denver has already begun to deal with injury complications as guard Jamal Murray was absent Wednesday night with a concussion and power forward Aaron Gordon is projected to miss multiple weeks due to a right calf injury. Granted it’s early, but the Nuggets could sink into an early-season divot similar to teams like the Milwaukee Bucks (1-6), Philadelphia 76ers (1-5) and Los Angeles Clippers (3-4).

Denver, if all-in on signing Walker, would need to waive or trade a member of its current filled 15-man roster.

Walker spent last season with the Brooklyn Nets, averaging 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists, shooting 42.3% from the field and 38.4% from three across 58 appearances. With playoff experience, the ability to knock down the three-ball efficiently and the willingness to take a backseat role, it shouldn’t be too long until Walker is back suiting up for an NBA team, regardless if it’s alongside Nikola Jokić or not.