Lonnie Walker IV is returning to the NBA with the Denver Nuggets, but his place on the roster is not yet guaranteed.
According to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post, Walker has signed an Exhibit 9 contract and will join Denver on a training camp invitation after spending parts of the past two seasons in Europe.
"Walker, 27, will report to Denver on a training camp invite as he attempts to return to the NBA after spending parts of the last two years overseas," Durando wrote. "He'll compete for a Nuggets roster spot at camp this fall."
Should Walker earn a place on Denver's final roster, his deal would become a one-year veteran minimum contract.
Earlier ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Walker has signed a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the Nuggets.
Walker will compete for backcourt role
Walker will attempt to earn a place in a Denver backcourt that currently includes Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, and Tyus Jones.
The Nuggets still have two open roster spots, while negotiations with restricted free agent Peyton Watson reportedly remain at an impasse.
Adding another veteran-minimum salary to the current roster would push Denver approximately $4.5 million above the second apron and increase its projected luxury-tax bill to more than $80 million.
Walker's Exhibit 9 deal provides the Nuggets with additional protection during training camp while giving the veteran guard an opportunity to secure a full-time NBA return.
Walker joins Nuggets after Maccabi Tel Aviv stint
Lonnie Walker spent the past season with Maccabi Tel Aviv, notably inking a three-year deal.
In his play for the Israeli club, he played impressively by averaging 15.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 40% from three-point range across 45 appearances.
By having an NBA exit clause in his contract with Maccabi, Walker IV earned himself another shot to play in the Association. He will return to the league for the first time since last year, when he notably left Zalgiris Kaunas to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.
He appeared in 20 games for the Sixers last 2024-25 campaign, tallying 12.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
Walker IV had previous notable stops for the Brooklyn Nets (2023-24) and the Los Angeles Lakers (2022-23). He spent the first four seasons of his NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs after being drafted the 18th overall pick of the 2018 Draft.