Walker announced his official retirement from the sport Tuesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Walker last played for the Mavericks in the 2022-23 season, during which he averaged 8.0 points, 2.1 assists and 1.8 rebounds across 16.0 minutes in nine regular-season games. The 34-year-old is most notably remembered for his eight-year tenure with the Hornets; he averaged 19.6 points, 5.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds while being named an All-Star three times with the Hornets, and once more with the Celtics. Over the entirety of his 12-year career, Walker averaged 18.0 points, 4.9 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals while shooting 36.0 percent from deep.
Walker signed a contract with AS Monaco Basket of the EuroLeague on Friday.
Walker has seen his role in the NBA decline over the past two seasons with the Knicks and the Mavericks. He averaged 3.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game over 37 appearances with New York during the 2021-22 campaign and averaged just 8.0 minutes per game over nine appearances with the Mavericks last year before being waived in January. The 33-year-old should have an opportunity to see more playing time overseas.
The Mavericks waived Walker on Friday, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports.
Walker is being waived because his salary would have become fully guaranteed Saturday. The Mavericks also want to give rookie Jaden Hardy a path for playing time, and Walker had been standing in the way without providing a major lift to Dallas' second unit. Walker averaged 8.0 points, 2.1 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 16.0 minutes across nine games this season.
Mavericks' Kemba Walker: Good to go against Knicks
Rotowire
Walker (knee) is available to play in Tuesday's game versus the Knicks.
Walker has been upgraded from probable to available after missing the previous two games with a left knee injury. However, the veteran point guard will likely be under a minutes restriction.
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Mavericks' Kemba Walker: Upgraded to probable
Rotowire
Walker (knee) has been upgraded from questionable to probable for Tuesday's game against the Knicks.
Walker has missed back-to-back games due to a left knee injury, but it appears he's on track to return Tuesday. If he's indeed available, the veteran point guard is expected to have his playing time monitor carefully, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com.
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