Mark Cuban on Kemba Walker Signing: Mavs Need ‘Some Flexibility’ on Offense

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban confirmed that the team is signing free agent point guard Kemba Walker, as we relayed here.

“We wanted to add some flexibility to our offense,” Cuban said, via Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News. “Like last year at this point, we have great shot quality, particularly from the 3, but we have struggled to make enough of them. Kemba will give (coach Jason Kidd) more offensive flexibility.”

Walker, 32, has been unemployed since being waived by the Pistons before the season. He was traded to Detroit from the Knicks during the summer, after the Knicks shut him down following just 37 games with his hometown team.

Before that, he was with the Celtics for a season, then traded to the Thunder, then promptly waived, signing with the Knicks in the summer of 2021.

The first eight years of his career came with the Hornets, when he was playing at an All-Star level. Knee issues seem to have robbed him of being that same player since, however. But he said just before the season that he still has plenty to offer.

“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.”

Meanwhile, the Mavs have struggled to find a suitable fill-in for point guard Jalen Brunson, who left for the Knicks in free agency in July. They tried with Facundo Campazzo, but he is being released to make room for Walker.

Overall, the Mavs have lost four straight, a first in the Kidd era.

“We’ve just got to keep going,” star guard Luka Doncic said, via via Townsend. “There’s 82 games. We’ve just got to keep going. Every day is a new day. Every game is a new game.”

Walker is coming off a season in which he averaged 13.7 points in 37 games, at which point the Knicks shut him down for the year.