Walker returns to Europe: Besiktas in the race

After being officially waived by the Denver Nuggets last Monday, Lonnie Walker IV has turned his attention to the Euroleague. The 27-year-old shooting guard represents an attractive profile for several continental clubs, with Turkish team Besiktas being one of the main interested parties looking to add the American player to their roster during the winter transfer window.

An Expected Return to Europe

Walker already has proven experience in European basketball. The American guard has played a total of 47 games in the Euroleague throughout his career, which gives him prior adaptation to the competitive level of the continental tournament. After signing with agent Misko Raznatovic of BeoBasket, the player has made the decision to strengthen his career in European soil.

His international journey began during the 2024-25 season when he joined Zalgiris after failing to make the final cuts with the Boston Celtics. Subsequently, the American shooting guard had a brief stint with the Philadelphia 76ers in early 2025 before landing with Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv, where he put up significant numbers in the competition.

Performance in Tel Aviv and NBA Background

In his most recent experience with Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv, Walker averaged 15.2 points per game, along with 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.8 steals over 28 games played. These figures demonstrate his ability to contribute offensively in high-level competitions, positioning him as an interesting asset for teams looking to bolster their offensive perimeter.

Walker’s NBA career includes stints with renowned teams. Selected in the first round of the 2018 draft by Miami, the shooting guard gained experience with the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, and Brooklyn Nets during his early professional years. His most recent attempt to return to the NBA with Denver did not go as he had hoped, logging only 17 minutes in two preseason games with modest contributions of four points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

Besiktas Seeks Reinforcements After Irregular Start

Besiktas has shown an inconsistent start in both continental and domestic competitions during the 2026-27 campaign. In the Euroleague, the Turkish club holds a record of 2-2, while in the Turkiye Sigorta Basketball Super League, they present a 1-2 record. This situation has prompted the sports management of the Istanbul team to actively seek additions that can enhance collective performance.

The addition of an experienced shooting guard like Walker would address the current needs of the project. The management at Besiktas has recognized the necessity to update its roster through the transfer market, considering that initial results have not been satisfactory. Walker represents a viable option given his proven offensive capabilities in European competitions and his availability as a free agent following his departure from Denver.

Competition for the Player's Services

While Besiktas positions itself as one of the main contenders, available information indicates that Walker has at least two additional offers from other clubs interested in his services. This multiple demand reflects the appeal that the player represents for various European projects, although the Turkish team seems to have expressed its interest more explicitly in the negotiation process.

Future Prospects in the Continental Competition

Walker’s decision to prioritize the Euroleague over other options marks a turning point in his professional career. At 27 years old, the shooting guard is at a stage where he can provide immediate performance to competitive teams, combining his NBA experience with the adaptation to European play that he has already demonstrated.

For Besiktas, the acquisition of Walker would be a bid to reinforce their offensive capacity on the perimeter, a critical aspect in the Euroleague where perimeter defense and three-point shooting are decisive. The American player, with his background in elite professional competitions, could help stabilize the Turkish team’s results in the upcoming days of the season.

The negotiation between Besiktas and Lonnie Walker IV is shaping up to be one of the most significant in the European winter market, with the potential to impact the competitive trajectory of the Turkish club for the remainder of the 2026-27 campaign. The player's international experience and scoring ability make this move a strategic operation for a team looking to recover from its irregular start in both competitions.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Walker regresa a Europa: Besiktas en la carrera