Mavs Officially Announce Kemba Walker Signing

What’s been reported is now true — the Mavericks have officially signed veteran point guard Kemba Walker, the team announced in a press release.

Per Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Walker is receiving a one-year, non-guaranteed contract.

Walker may not suit up for a while, despite things now being 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.

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

The Dallas Mavericks have signed Kemba Walker.

The 11-year veteran averaged 20+ points in five straight seasons from 2015-16 to 2019-20, earning four consecutive All-Star nods from 2017 to 2020.

Walker will wear #34 for Dallas. pic.twitter.com/xIwqo3FBqh

— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) November 29, 2022

 “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.”