Nuggets officially sign risky $21M ex-Laker explosive guard to pair with Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray image
The Denver Nuggets have been making some moves this offseason, or at least as much as they can with all of their cap restrictions. The team was in the worst financial position it has been in throughout the history of the organization.
Denver was still able to make some small signings to get its roster to where it needed to be this season. One of those deals was for future Hall of Famer DeMar DeRozan.
“The Nuggets signed DeMar DeRozan to a one-year deal at the veteran's minimum, per Shams Charania. DeRozan will now fill the void left behind by Peyton Watson in Denver's wing rotation," NBA reporter Evan Sidery posted.
However, before the Nuggets signed DeRozan, they made an under-the-radar contract agreement. The team came to terms with former Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV.
“Reported in late June that Lonnie Walker IV was seeking a return to the NBA and now he has it on a one-year deal in Denver. Walker’s pact with Maccabi Tel Aviv had a July 15th NBA out deadline but he was granted an exit even though Denver’s offer did not surface until August,” The Stein Line’s Marc Stein wrote.
The deal was unknown in terms of what everything was going to look like. On Thursday, the deal between Walker and the Nuggets became official as the contract was signed.
“Lonnie Walker has officially signed his contract with the Denver Nuggets. It's a non-guaranteed camp deal for Walker, a league source told Spotrac," Spotrac’s Keith Smith wrote.
The deal is a little bit of a risky one for both sides, to say the least. Walker is not getting any guaranteed money, and it is only a training camp invite for one of the final roster spots. This means he could be without a team in a little over a month.
Walker has made $21 million in his career. For Denver, if they do decide to keep him on the roster, there is some concern about whether he will be able to perform at the level they need. There is a risk on both sides, but hopefully, it is one that will work itself out.
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