Former Zalgiris Star Lonnie Walker IV Returns to Euroleague, Signs with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Blockbuster Offseason Move
Byline: EuroHoops Fictional Sports | August 5, 2025
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL β In a stunning turn of events that has electrified the European basketball scene, Lonnie Walker IV is officially back in the Euroleague, signing a 2-year deal with powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv ahead of the 2025β26 season.
The former NBA standout and Zalgiris Kaunas fan-favorite rejoins the continentβs top competition with a renewed hunger, elite scoring instincts, and the swagger of a man ready to dominate.
π The Return of the Wanderer
Walkerβs first Euroleague stint came in the 2023β24 season when he surprised many by signing with Lithuanian giants Zalgiris Kaunas after a rollercoaster NBA journey. Though he arrived with skepticism from traditional European basketball analysts, Lonnie silenced all doubters by averaging 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, earning All-Euroleague Second Team honors and leading Zalgiris to a surprise Final Four appearance.
Following a brief return to the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets in 2024β25, where he struggled for consistent minutes, Walker sought stability and the right basketball culture. Maccabi pounced.
π¬ Walker Speaks on the Move
βIβve been watching Maccabi since I was a kid,β said Walker during his introductory press conference. βTheir legacy, their crowd, the way they play with heartβit fits me. Iβve grown since my first Euroleague run, and Iβm ready to win. Iβm not here to just put up numbersβIβm here to raise a trophy.β
π₯ Maccabi Reloaded
Walkerβs addition instantly reshapes Maccabiβs identity. Known for their aggressive defense and fast-paced transition game, the Israeli club is now armed with one of the continentβs most explosive athletes. Head coach Oded Kattash couldnβt hide his excitement.
βLonnie is a game-changer. His ability to create off the dribble, space the floor, and defend multiple positions is exactly what we need to get back to the Final Four,β said Kattash.
Maccabiβs backcourt now features Walker alongside Lorenzo Brown and Wade Baldwin IV, forming what some analysts are calling the βEuroleagueβs new big three.β
π What to Expect
Walkerβs versatility is what makes him so dangerous in the Euroleague system. His improved midrange game, explosive first step, and tenacity on defense have elevated him from a role player in the NBA to a potential MVP candidate in Europe.
With Maccabiβs system emphasizing spacing, off-ball movement, and aggressive on-ball defense, Walker will have the green light to thrive. Sources close to the club hint that heβs already taken on a leadership role during summer mini-camp.
ποΈ Eyes on the Prize
Maccabi last won the Euroleague in 2014. With the addition of Walker, combined with a seasoned core and a fiercely loyal fan base, expectations are sky-high.
βTel Aviv has always been a basketball city,β one longtime supporter said. βBut with Lonnie here, it feels like weβre about to witness something historic.β
π Final Thought
Lonnie Walker IVβs return to the Euroleague isnβt just a comebackβitβs a statement. One of the worldβs most gifted athletes is embracing the European game once more, not as a prospect or a risk, but as a proven star.
The 2025β26 Euroleague season just got a lot more interesting. Welcome back, Lonnie. Europe missed you.
#WelcomeBackLonnie π΅π‘ | #EuroleagueReturns | #MaccabiTelAviv