Lonnie Walker IV Has an NBA Exit Clause and Multiple Teams Are Watching

Lonnie Walker IV hasn’t played an NBA game since the 2024-25 season, but that could change soon. The 27-year-old guard is currently under contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv in the EuroLeague, and his deal includes an NBA opt-out clause that runs until July 15. According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, several teams are expected to take a close look at Walker before that deadline hits.

Walker himself posted about the situation on X, though he didn’t name specific teams. The interest makes sense when you look at his track record. He’s played seven NBA seasons, averaging an even 10 points per game across 342 regular-season appearances with the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers.

What He’s Done Lately

Walker spent part of last season with Žalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania before returning to the NBA to sign with his hometown 76ers. That stint was solid. In 20 games, seven of them starts, he put up 12.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in about 24 minutes a night. Philadelphia declined a team option after the season, making him an unrestricted free agent. He then signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he helped the club win the 2026 Israeli Premier League championship.

Before that, he averaged 13.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 19 EuroLeague games with Žalgiris and helped them win the King Mindaugas Cup. So the guy has been productive, just not in the NBA lately.

Why Teams Might Bite

Walker was the 18th overall pick in the 2018 draft, so the pedigree is there. He’s posted double-digit scoring averages in four different NBA seasons, including a career-high 12.4 with Philly in 2025 and 12.1 with the Spurs back in 2021-22. He’s shot 35.6% from three over his career and has 19 playoff games under his belt, including a memorable postseason run with the Lakers in 2023-24.

He’s also only 27. That’s not old for a guard who can create his own shot and defend multiple positions. For teams looking to add wing depth without committing huge money, Walker is exactly the kind of flier that makes sense in July.

The clause expires in a few weeks. If no NBA team picks him up, he’ll stay with Maccabi Tel Aviv for another season. But based on the early buzz, it sounds like at least a few front offices are doing their homework.