10:48am: The move is official, the Mavericks confirmed (via Twitter).
10:19am: Kemba Walker‘s comeback with the Mavericks only lasted nine games, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, who tweets that Dallas will waive the veteran guard before his contract becomes fully guaranteed this weekend.
Walker, 32, signed with the team in late November, hoping to resurrect his NBA career after knee issues cut short his stays with the Knicks and Celtics. Walker averaged 8.0 points in 16.0 minutes per game during his time in Dallas and even turned in a 32-point outing.
MacMahon states that the Mavs want to dedicate more playing time to young guard McKinley Wright IV, who has been earning minutes on a two-way contract, and second-round pick Jaden Hardy, who may get a larger role in the second half of the season. A source told MacMahon that Walker was an “ultimate pro” in his short stay with the Mavs.
The team will have a $684,712 cap hit for Walker, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link).
A four-time All-Star with Charlotte and Boston, Walker is in his 12th NBA season. His performance in Dallas may lead to other opportunities now that teams are able to offer 10-day contracts.
Sad day. You were once great, Kemba. More than most of us can say.
He had that one game where he went off for about 35. Was that just a swan song or does he still have games like that in him?
Shortest article ever. Read it to find out how much he actually scored. And the answer is no. He’s too banged up.
The Bucks could use a microwave off the bench. Walker definitely showed he had something left in the tank with the Mavs. His D is pretty poor, but definitely worth 10-15 minutes per game.
Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking. Game where he’s hot let him play 30. If the wheels fall off then so be it. Professionally, he doesn’t have much left to lose anyways.
Why is this a straight waive and not a trade-and-waive, as Dallas is also in the luxury tax?
Same rationale seems to apply here as did with Boston/Vonleh?
2 reasons why. 1) kemba has to be on the team for more than 45 days. 2) his contract because fully guaranteed on Saturday. Only option was to pay him guaranteed money or wavie him
Players aren’t eligible to be traded for at least three months after they sign, and Kemba just signed on Nov. 29.
Walker has always been very overrated player.
Just admit you didn’t watch him carrying that sorry Hornets team… didn’t he take them to the playoffs one year? He was a very good point guard and the Knicks killed him imo
Face it you love him is the only reason you claim that. He had one or 2 good years and mostly average player. Knicks did not kill him he was dead when he got there. He was terrible in Boston too.
Rank these great NYC pgs.. Kenny Smith, Jamaal Tinsley, Stephon Marbury, Rod Strickland, Kemba Walker, Mark Jackson, Kenny Anderson
No
Strickland and Jackson are in a class by themselves.
Why are you hating on Sebastian Telfair, Bob Cousy, Rafer Alston and Lenny Wilkens? Not even mentioning those great NYC point guards?
You can do it bro. You dont need our help.
There were a lot of guys in here saying that Luka had his new running mate when Dallas signed Kemba.
Time to give Ice Cube a call.
I hate the lakers but he seems like he’s be a good fit there?
Agreed. With the Lakers recent spat of injuries that’s where I see him signing next.
Honestly should have given those minutes to Hardy in the first place.
Writing was on the wall when he wouldn’t give DET a buyout amount equal to minimum wage. He must of realized he (probably) wouldn’t earn that over the season, and/or didn’t want to go through the pre-season with a team.
Probably tempting, because his offensive game is still high end. But, at least with the Knicks, he couldn’t move laterally and didn’t participate on the defensive end; even when he said the knee felt fine, he likely didn’t trust it. It’s not the kind of league any longer where you can carry someone like that, at least if you’re trying to win. At the same time, he supposedly wants a contender.
You put him in the right situation and I think he can produce. The Lakers are always looking for stars/former stars and I think they’ll sign anybody at this point trying to find a spark. It’s unfortunate he has knee problems. He was fun to watch.