Lonnie Walker IV is returning to Europe after signing with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, the club confirmed on Monday.
The 26-year-old guard joins the Israeli side following a stint with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he averaged 12.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists over 20 appearances in the 2024–25 NBA season.
Maccabi described Walker’s arrival as a “clear statement” of their ambitions, with general manager Claudio Coldebella praising the signing as a critical step in the club’s long-term vision.
“Bringing this level of talent to Tel Aviv reflects our commitment to compete at the highest level,” Coldebella said in the official announcement.
Walker started last season in Europe with Zalgiris Kaunas, averaging 13.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in 19 EuroLeague games and helping the Lithuanian side win the 2025 King Mindaugas Cup.
Despite interest from fellow Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv, it was Maccabi who secured the American’s signature as part of a broader roster overhaul.
Maccabi finished 16th in the 2024–25 EuroLeague standings with an 11–23 record, prompting the front office to prioritize experienced perimeter scorers this summer.
Head coach Oded Kattash praised Walker’s NBA pedigree and European experience, calling him “a competitive player with a hunger for success.”
Walker, a 2018 first-round pick by the San Antonio Spurs, has logged 342 regular season NBA games across six seasons with the Spurs, Lakers, Nets, and Sixers.
His best NBA stretch came with the Lakers in 2022–23, where he started 32 games and posted 14.7 points per contest prior to injuries and midseason trades altering his role.
In his first EuroLeague experience with Zalgiris, he shot 45.2% on two-pointers and 33.1% from beyond the arc.
Walker becomes one of the highest-paid American players currently under contract in Europe.
