Leading up to the Feb. 6th NBA trade deadline, the Philadelphia 76ers aimed to inject more youth into the roster and acquire players who could contribute in both the short and long term. Philadelphia has persisted with this plan, and its latest addition checks both of these boxes.
The 76ers have signed guard Lonnie Walker IV to a two-year $3 million contract via Shams Charania of ESPN. The second year of Walker’s contract is a team option, reported PHLY Sports’ Kyle Neubeck. The team acquired him with the veteran minimum and remain under the $178.1 million first tax apron. With the addition of Walker, Philadelphia has filled its final roster spot.
Lonnie Walker IV signing with 76ers came as a surprise
Before the 2024-25 season, Walker agreed to an exhibit-10 deal with the Boston Celtics, but he was waived on Oct. 19th. He later inked a contract with Basketball Club Žalgiris – a professional team based in Lithuania.
Marc Stein reported that the 76ers have been tracking Walker since he joined BC Žalgiris and urgently signed him before Feb. 18th – the day his escape clause from his overseas contract expired. With guard Eric Gordon yet to return due to a wrist injury, Philadelphia made a pressing effort to acquire Walker.
Walker will enter his seventh season in the NBA. Last season, he appeared in 58 games with the Brooklyn Nets, averaging 9.7 points per game on 54.5 percent true shooting. He added 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
The 26-year-old, Reading, PA native will provide athleticism, sound shot creation, and adequate perimeter shooting. Walker has developed a reputation for being an athletic finisher who can rise over any defender that comes his way, which will prove to be a breath of fresh air to a team that rosters six players over 30 years old.
Adding Walker to the fold bolsters Philadelphia’s backcourt depth, which at one point was dangerously thin. The 76ers have done a great job at threading the needle between buying and selling by acquiring players such as Quentin Grimes, Jared Butler, and now Walker, all of whom can be long-term fits.
Maxey, McCain, Grimes, Walker, Butler is a good, young, fun backcourt rotation. Plus Edwards if you consider him a 2 guard. They should be set at both guard spots for the next couple years. Not bad! https://t.co/UrX6LbMyg8
— Mike O'Connor (@MOConnor_NBA) February 18, 2025
There are still many questions and plot points surrounding the 76ers coming out of the All-Star break. With stars Joel Embiid and Paul George playing through injuries, many fans have campaigned for Philadelphia to shut them down and tank for the remainder of the season.
No matter which side of the coin you’re on, the 76ers’ short-term future looks bleak as they’re 14 games below .500 in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. However, with Philadelphia boosting its guard depth and becoming younger, fans have something to look forward to as the season winds down.