Former Boston Celtics guard Lonnie Walker IV is surprisingly back in the NBA after a quick stint overseas. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Walker signed a two-year, $3 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Lonnie Walker IV has agreed to a two-year, $3 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, his agent George S. Langberg of GSL Sports Group told ESPN. Walker has played for Zalgiris Kaunas in the Euroleague and had an NBA-out in his deal. He now enters his 7th NBA season. pic.twitter.com/NQW8xQa1mS
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 18, 2025
The veteran shooting guard has spent this season playing basketball with Zalgiris Kaunas in the EuroLeague.
Walker IV had an NBA-out in his deal, just in case he received a contract to his liking to return to the Association. The former Celtic played okay with Zalgiris Kaunas, averaging 13.6 points per game on 38.7% shooting from the field and 33.1 percent from beyond the arc (6.2 attempts per game).
Many basketball fans were shocked to see the 26-year-old guard playing overseas after the Boston Celtics waived him in October. Coincidentially, the Sixers’ first game after the all-star break is against the Celtics, but it’s unclear if he’ll play on Thursday night.
The Sixers haven’t announced the pending signing, as he likely has to go through procedural things like passing a physical. If Walker doesn’t play on Thursday night, he could get his next chance at revenge on Mar. 6 when the Sixers travel back to Boston to play the Celtics.
Walker played well in his short preseason stint with the Celtics, averaging 7.3 points in 16.4 minutes per game. However, Boston felt otherwise, releasing the veteran guard, who was signed to an Exhibit 10 deal.
Since Walker was on an Exhibit 10 deal, he had the opportunity to play with Boston’s NBA G League affiliate in Maine to start the season, but he decided to pursue opportunities. Walker’s gamble paid off, getting a two-year deal from the Sixers.
The ex-Celtic will now look to prove to Boston that they made a mistake letting him go as he’ll get opportunities to play with the Sixers, who have been one of the biggest disappointments in the NBA this season.