On Wednesday, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that free agent guard Lonnie Walker IV had agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Denver Nuggets. Charania cited GSL Sports Group as the source of the agreement.
Less than 24 hours later, however, a conflicting report dramatically changed the picture, leaving NBA fans wondering which version was accurate.
ESPN Insider Shams Charania Faces Backlash as New Nuggets Signing News Opposes His Report
Walker’s reported contract immediately raised questions because of Denver’s salary-cap situation.
The Nuggets are still working through restricted free agency with Peyton Watson. After matching the Oklahoma City Thunder’s two-year, $12 million offer sheet for Spencer Jones, Denver’s projected luxury-tax bill reportedly ballooned from $36 million to $68 million, making another guaranteed contract appear difficult to justify.
On Thursday, Denver Post reporter Bennett Durando offered a very different update.
“Lonnie Walker IV’s agreement with the Nuggets is a training camp deal, league sources tell @DenverPost. He will compete for a roster spot at camp this fall. Denver still has two open spots,” Durando tweeted.
Lonnie Walker IV’s agreement with the Nuggets is a training camp deal, league sources tell @DenverPost. He will compete for a roster spot at camp this fall. Denver still has two open spots.
— Bennett Durando (@BennettDurando) August 6, 2026
Durando’s report quickly ignited debate across social media, with many fans questioning Charania’s original report.
“Then why did Shams report it’s a one-yet deal worth 3 mil? Is he a fraud?” an X user wondered.
Then why did Shams report its a one yet deal worth 3 mil? Is he a fraud?
— DarthMal (@SeanelKM) August 6, 2026
“So were the financials reported inaccurate?” another X user added.
So were the financials reported inaccurate?
— Velvet Milkman (@mjwild00) August 7, 2026
“Shams is a fraud, and bro shouldn’t have to compete for a (expletive) spot fr lmfao,” an NBA observer remarked.
NBA insider Brett Siegel stepped in to give more context to Walker’s training camp deal.
“Training camp deal for Lonnie Walker IV means that the tax bill doesn’t directly increase – only if he makes the rosters. Denver is still at $68M in tentative luxury taxes right now with Peyton Watson’s RFA still looming large,” the ClutchPoints reporter wrote.
Training camp deal for Lonnie Walker IV means that the tax bill doesn’t directly increase — only if he makes the rosters
Denver is still at $68M in tentative luxury taxes right now with Peyton Watson’s RFA still looming large. https://t.co/ff9CvbPXa9
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) August 6, 2026
Durando’s report suggests Walker signed an Exhibit 9 contract rather than a fully guaranteed standard NBA deal.
Earlier this month, Hoops Rumors explained how those contracts work:
“An Exhibit 9 deal, which is non-guaranteed and doesn’t count against the salary cap until the start of the regular season, can only be a one-year, minimum-salary contract.”
Additionally, Exhibit 9 contracts protect the team from potential player injuries during training camp.
“If the injured player’s contract includes Exhibit 9 language, however, his team could waive him and only be on the hook for a one-time payment of $15K.”
That structure would allow Denver to evaluate Walker during training camp without immediately increasing its payroll, preserving flexibility while negotiations with Watson continue.
Walker last appeared in the NBA during the 2024-25 season, averaging 12.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The No. 18 pick of the 2018 NBA Draft spent this past season with Maccabi Tel Aviv, where his contract reportedly included an NBA exit clause.
The conflicting reports surrounding Walker’s agreement with the Nuggets have unexpectedly shifted the spotlight from Denver’s roster construction to one of the NBA’s most trusted news breakers, with fans now scrutinizing details of Charania’s reporting.
