Kemba Walker’s Deal With Mavs Will Be Non-Guaranteed

The Mavericks are signing veteran point guard Kemba Walker, but he isn’t expected to play right away, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

In fact, Walker may not suit up for a while after the signing becomes official. After all, he last saw action in February, when the Knicks shut him down after 37 games. He was then traded to the Pistons during the offseason, then waived.

Per Stein, Walker’s contract with the Mavs will be for one-year and non-guaranteed. But after not drawing much interest in free agency until this point, Walker will surely gladly accept.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban confirmed the signing, telling Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News that the team needed a little more “flexibility” on offense.

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

Walker, 32, spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Hornets, making the All-Star team on four occasions, the last being 2020. He then landed with the Celtics, but has been suffering from knee issues since, limiting his mobility.

Still, he managed to average 13.7 points in the games the Knicks played him last season, and could still be a factor in reserve, playing both behind and with young star Luka Doncic in the Mavs’ backcourt.

“I’ve got something in the tank for sure,” Walker recently 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.”