Amid a desire to improve post All-Star break, the Philadelphia 76ers have made an addition to their squad.
Former first round pick Lonnie Walker is returning to the NBA, signing a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
ESPN reports Lonnie Walker has signed a two-year deal with the 76ers at $3.7 million. The Sixers were named as one of five teams monitoring his situation at the end of 2024.
He spent training camp with the Celtics, but has recently been playing in Lithuania with Zalgiris Kaunas in the Euroleague. The Sixers have taken advantage of a NBA release clause in his deal.
The Philadelphia 76ers become Lonnie Walker’s fourth different NBA team.
- San Antonio Spurs: 2018-22
- LA Lakers: 2022-23
- Brooklyn Nets: 2023-24
- Zalgiris Kaunas: 2024-25
- Philadelphia 76ers: 2025 –
Philadelphia 76ers fans are pleased to have a new face who is clearly going to be motivated to make the most of his chance back in the NBA.
Fans are feeling optimistic, with one on X predicting: “Daryl Morey nailed the signing of Guerschon Yabusele before the season and he likely did it again by landing Lonnie Walker now.”
Another added: “This is an amazing signing for the Sixers… Lonnie Walker IS an NBA talent & that contract seems like the biggest steal ever. Big fan of this.”
A third wrote: “Lonnie Walker IV is a legitimate NBA rotation player who has had multiple seasons averaging double digit points per game. Love this addition.”
Another fan expressed happiness that veteran Kyle Lowry should be phased out even more, adding: “If Lonnie Walker IV means we don’t have to watch Kyle Lowry play anymore I’m all for it.”
A further post added: “Lonnie Walker and Jared Butler should mean no more Kyle Lowry or Eric Gordon. Of course if Nurse has any sense.”
Lowry, 38, has been averaging 18.9 minutes per game this season and Lonnie Walker’s arrival should see this decrease even further.
The Philadelphia 76ers had had a terrible season, with Paul George underperforming and Joel Embiid constantly battling injuries to the point one NBA expert considers him untradeable.
The 20-32 side are currently outside the Play-In tournament, and need to motor on to overtake the Chicago Bulls and sneak into the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference.
They return after the break with a match-up against the Boston Celtics, the team who declined to sign Lonnie Walker in the off-season.
If Walker is available to play in time at home to the Celtics, a team the 76ers beat on Christmas Day, it could be the dream start for him.
