As expected, the Pistons will waive veteran point guard Kemba Walker ahead of Monday’s deadline to turn in final opening night rosters, per Shams Charania and James Edwards III of The Athletic.
Walker, 32, is 6-foot-1 and was acquired in an offseason trade with the Knicks, a deal that also landed No. 13 pick and center Jalen Duren in Detroit. (The Hornets received multiple picks in the three-team trade.)
Boston then traded him to the Thunder in June 2021, and OKC waived him shortly thereafter. He then landed with the Knicks in free agency, but the return to his hometown was a bit rocky.
Walker averaged 13.7 points in 37 games with the Knicks, before being shut down by coach Tom Thibodeau and the organization.
Walker said he is sill seeking an NBA team to give him another shot.
“I’ve got something in the tank for sure,” he said, via Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. “I feel great. I’m going to be honest. I’m going to have my opportunity. I’m not in any rush right now. I’m just grinding and trying to feel as good as I can. And right now, I feel great. I feel as good as I’ve felt in a long time. I’m just waiting for the opportunity.”
It remains to be seen if there’s another NBA team willing to take a chance on him. If so, many seem to believe he will be signed later in the year, as an experienced player who will assist a playoff push.
“I just want to be able to play basketball again; I don’t care if it’s the bench or not,” he said, via Washburn. “I started off my career playing basketball coming off the bench. Who cares? I just want to be able to play ball like I love to do, being around some great, great teammates and just have fun.”
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