Kemba Walker on Signing With Mavs: ‘I’m Excited to Be Back’

Veteran point guard Kemba Walker has a new hoops home with the Mavericks, and he indicated he is more than ready to go.

“I’m feeling good, feeling better than I’ve felt in a really long time,” he told TNT’s Stephanie Ready. “… I’m excited to be back, I’m happy these guys picked me up. I’m ready to get started.”

Walker, 32, appeared in 37 games last season with the Knicks before the team decided to shut him down. He averaged 13.7 points, showing signs that he is still a productive and winning NBA player. The Knicks traded him to the Pistons as part of a package over the summer, then Detroit waived him ahead of the season.

He was a four-time All-Star during his first eight NBA seasons, all with the Hornets.

With the Mavs, he will be expected to both relieve and play alongside star guard Luka Doncic.

“Just another ball-handler, and some leadership qualities,” he told Ready of what he will bring to Dallas. “I’ve been around for a long time, so I know what it takes t keep guys happy, to keep a locker room happy. I think I add to that element.”

Per Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Walker received a one-year, non-guaranteed deal.

“I’ve got something in the tank for sure,” Walker recently told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. “I feel great.”

“I'm feeling good…feeling better than I’ve felt in a really long time”pic.twitter.com/MPEdSwZIUU

— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) November 30, 2022