Report: Sixers decline $2.9 million team option for Lonnie Walker IV

Another late-season flier from Philadelphia’s soon-to-be-forgotten 2024-25 campaign will test free agency.

With the doors to free agency officially swinging open tomorrow, the Philadelphia 76ers are getting all their housekeeping in order. In a similar vein to Friday’s news of the team declining Jared Butler’s team option, the Sixers are reportedly declining the $2.9 million team option for Lonnie Walker IV, who will become an unrestricted free agent.

Walker played fairly well in the 20 games for the Sixers after coming back stateside from Europe. He started seven games, scoring 23 or more points five times, including 31 points in the season finale against Chicago. Lonnie definitely displayed the ability to convert on a high-volume diet from behind the arc, and flashed some secondary creation skills. Reports are that teams will be calling in free agency, as Walker re-established himself as a legitimate NBA player. Still just 26 years old, there’s plenty of teams that should give Lonnie a look.

The Sixers do not appear to be one of those teams, although they could still bring him back on a minimum contract in free agency. However, they have a well-established glut at the guard position heading into next season with Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, third overall pick VJ Edgecombe, Edgecombe’s veteran mentor Eric Gordon, Kelly Oubre Jr., hopefully restricted free agent Quentin Grimes, and rumors are Kyle Lowry will even still be a thing. As far as minimum contracts to fill out the roster, the Sixers should be handing those out to bigger forwards and hoping one of them emerges as a rotation player.

Having the guy from Reading, PA on the Sixers was a fun story. While Walker’s Philadelphia tenure looks to be coming to a close, I think his time here was a win for all parties, as he likely gets to move into a more secure role somewhere else in this second act of his NBA carerer.