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Former Spurs fan favorite gets yet another lifeline from depth-starved Nuggets

Lonnie Walker signed with the Nuggets.
San Antonio Spurs, Lonnie Walker IV
San Antonio Spurs, Lonnie Walker IV | USA TODAY Sports

Former San Antonio Spurs fan favorite Lonnie Walker IV agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. The 6’4 wing was drafted 18th overall by the Spurs in 2018, and fans quickly connected with him after he opened up about his past. Walker had some memorable games in San Antonio, including a monster 28-point night in his second season to defeat the rival Rockets in double overtime. Fans were sad to see him depart in 2022 as a free agent, but the rebuilding Spurs were going in a different direction.

Walker has bounced around since leaving San Antonio. He spent one season with the Lakers and one on the Nets before being cut in training camp by the Celtics in 2024. The 6’4 wing played part of the 2024-25 season overseas before catching on with the 76ers in February for the remainder of the year. Walker spent the entire 2025-26 season with Maccabi Tel Aviv before getting this opportunity with the Nuggets.

It has been a quiet offseason in Denver, and the Nuggets need help after being bounced in the first round of the playoffs. Nikola Jokic is putting off his extension, and the pressure is on to get back into title contention. Spurs fans were hoping Walker would return to the NBA, but they didn’t want to see him join the rival Nuggets.

Lonnie Walker IV signs with the Nuggets after stint overseas

Walker averaged 15.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.9 steals in just 21.8 minutes per game last season in Israel. He shot 36.5 percent from 3-point range on the shorter international line, and he could be a needed replacement for Tim Hardaway Jr. in Denver. THJ joined the Miami Heat after the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.

Walker should play a key reserve role in Denver. Spurs fans will still be rooting for him whenever they aren’t facing San Antonio. Walker went from first-round pick to a 25-minute per game role player on the Spurs. He averaged 9.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.5 steals in 20.4 minutes per game during his four seasons in San Antonio.

Walker has always been a plus shooter and scorer, but there are defensive questions. The 27-year-old should be in the middle of his prime and have all the motivation to prove he can be a role player on an NBA contender. This will be his eighth NBA season, but he has struggled to find work over the last two years. Walker has to be eager to make his case for being a long-term fit.

The San Antonio Spurs just made the NBA Finals and are eager to win their first championship with Victor Wembanyama. They weren’t bringing back the fan-favorite guard. Wemby may already be the best player in the world and is ready to pass Nikola Jokic. The Spurs sights are set on maximizing their roster and not adding a wing with defensive questions.

Spurs fans are happy to see Lonnie Walker IV get another NBA opportunity. The Denver Nuggets need depth and should immediately put him in the rotation. Can he hold up defensively and become the 3-and-D option Denver desires? Spurs fans will be watching closely. The 6’4 wing has the talent. It is all about finding the right place and putting it all together. This may just be the spot.

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