Denver Nuggets sign LeBron James’ former Lakers teammate to a $3.3 million deal

The Denver Nuggets have made a big offseason move, landing one of LeBron James‘ former LA Lakers teammates.

The Nuggets had to respond after teams across the East and West strengthened their rosters to push for an NBA championship.

And while this latest signing is unlikely to grab headlines, the Nuggets have landed a star with playoff experience next to LeBron James.

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Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
IV to veteran minimum contract

Shams Charania reported that the Denver Nuggets agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million veteran minimum contract to bring Lonnie Walker IV back to the NBA.

Walker left the NBA in 2025 after a stint with the Philadelphia 76ers, who didn’t re-sign him at the end of the season, to play for Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Prior to signing with the 76ers, Walker had been playing for Lithuanian side Zalgiris Kaunas in the EuroLeague.

Walker has a wealth of experience in the NBA, getting drafted 18th overall in the 2018 Draft by the San Antonio Spurs.

After four years with the Spurs during their rebuild, Walker would sign with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2022-23 NBA season.

While the season hadn’t started well for the Lakers, Walker was a standout and played a key role in their late-season turnaround to reach the playoffs.

In the 2023 playoffs, Walker provided valuable minutes off the bench, averaging 6.2 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists while shooting 48.3% from the field and 38.2% from beyond the arc.

His shooting from deep allowed the Lakers to reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time since their 2020 championship run.

Ironically, the Lakers would end up getting swept by the eventual champions, and now Walker’s new team, the Denver Nuggets.

Perhaps the Nuggets feel that Walker can provide solid production as a scorer for them this season, especially coming off the bench.

The Nuggets struggled to get the right type of production from players outside of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, so adding another scoring option only strengthens their roster.

One of the big concerns with Walker will be his defence, as he isn’t a particularly good perimeter defender, and can get caught napping during key moments.

However, if he plays a limited set of minutes and is trusted to provide a strong attacking option, the Nuggets will be happy with the production he brings them.