Lonnie Walker’s Agent On Possible NBA Return: ‘Nothing Has Been Determined’

As Lonnie Walker IV continues his stint with Kaunas Zalgiris in the EuroLeague, NBA teams are taking notice.

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, at least five NBA franchises — the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, and Boston Celtics — are showing interest in the 26-year-old scoring guard.

Walker’s contract with Zalgiris runs until the end of the season, but it includes an option for him to return to the NBA by February 18 for a buyout of $450,000.

Meanwhile, Zalgiris’ sports director Gediminas Navickas acknowledged the NBA interest but added that the path to a return isn’t straightforward.

“We’re in touch with several people in the NBA, but no one will openly reveal their plans,” Navickas told Lukas Malinauskas of BasketNews. “The reality is that in the NBA, a lot of factors have to align perfectly for Lonnie to secure the kind of contract he’s looking for. I believe Lonnie isn’t aiming for a minimum contract, which slightly narrows his options even further.”

Walker’s agent, George S. Langberg, quickly addressed those remarks on social media, clarifying that his client hasn’t set rigid conditions for his NBA return.

“Lonnie is focused on his season with Zalgiris. I will continue to assess all options, but nothing has been determined at this time,” Langberg wrote.

The buzz surrounding Walker is certainly justified. Last season with the Brooklyn Nets, he averaged 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, showcasing a solid 38.4% shooting from beyond the arc. 

In other words, though Walker has found a comfortable home in Europe, his performance in the EuroLeague could ultimately pave the way for an NBA return, with several teams likely eyeing him as an important piece to their playoff push.

The question remains: Will Walker take the NBA buyout, or will he stay in Europe longer to continue developing his game? One thing is clear — he’s a player to watch in the coming weeks.