With the NBA season approaching, plenty of players will soon find themselves without a roster spot – and looking across the Atlantic towards Europe.
Lonnie Walker is among those almost certain to return to the EuroLeague. There is no room for him with the Denver Nuggets, while agent Miško Ražnatović has announced Walker as his newest client.
The 18th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft has averaged double figures in three NBA seasons. But apart from a brief stint with a struggling Philadelphia team, he has now spent three years struggling to establish a lasting place in the league.
That does not mean the 27-year-old guard is a bad player. Quite the opposite. The catch is that he needs the ball in his hands and plenty of offensive freedom.
In the NBA, plenty of players offer a similar skill set at a higher level, while Walker lacks the kind of specialist skill that might otherwise secure him a roster spot.
What Walker Brings – and What Comes With It
Last season, Walker averaged 15.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists for Maccabi. However, the Israeli powerhouse finished well outside the playoff picture.
It was a similar story at Žalgiris. There was even a sense that the Kaunas side started playing more fluid basketball as a team after Walker left.
There is no doubt that Walker brings instant offense, the ability to catch fire and score in bunches. But he is also prone to questionable decisions and can bring ball movement to a halt.
Last season with Maccabi, he had a usage rate of over 30 percent, shooting 39.4 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from three.
Maccabi’s net rating was 6.7 points per 100 possessions worse with Walker on the court than with him on the bench.
“I need to be more efficient and bring more energy on both ends of the floor, as one of the leaders of the team. I need to be more consistent and keep a cool head,” he said in January 2025 after a loss to Real Madrid.
His considerable EuroLeague experience should make it easier for him to fit into an established system, wherever he ends up. Walker also knows what he is getting into this time and should not have one eye on a potential NBA return.
Who Could Make a Move for Walker?
Partizan were mentioned as a possible destination over the summer, and club president Ostoja Mijailović said the black-and-whites would look to add another player who becomes available from the NBA.
Partizan have made an excellent start to the season. Head coach Joan Peñarroya is doing an outstanding job, and the team’s chemistry is obvious. Still, the feeling is that they need another high-level player to raise their ceiling, alongside Carlik Jones, who has been playing at an MVP level early in the season.
Is Walker that player?
As we have already established, the 193cm guard brings plenty of strengths, but also plenty of risks.
Partizan’s game has been notably team-oriented on both ends of the floor so far. On the other hand, Walker can manufacture a bucket when the offense stalls.
Stylistically, Walker might be better suited to Beşiktaş and their up-tempo, high-scoring basketball.
Dušan Alimpijević’s team have also been mentioned among the candidates, although they already have several players who are at their best with the ball in their hands, starting with Scottie Wilbekin.
Olimpia Milano, on paper, are also well stocked in the backcourt. But after a poor start to the season, the Italian club may be looking for a spark.
Baskonia are short on depth, and with Markus Howard now leaving as well, perhaps that is where Walker would find the most freedom and room to operate.
Or perhaps an unexpected contender will emerge.
The question is not whether Walker can score in the EuroLeague – he has already proved that he can.
The question is where those points would carry the most weight, and which team would be willing to accept everything that comes with them.
Either way, Walker will be the first of many. In a little over a month, plenty of EuroLeague rosters will look different than they do now.
