Getty Kemba Walker, Boston Celtics
When the Boston Celtics acquired Kemba Walker as a direct replacement for Kyrie Irving, fans rejoiced at a successful pivot from Danny Ainge.
However, despite a solid start to his Celtics tenure, Walker’s spell in Boston began to nosedive – courtesy of knee issues which sapped him of his explosive first step. Walker, 32, spent two seasons with the Celtics, averaging 19.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 37.2% from deep and 48% from inside the perimeter.
Unfortunately, just a year later, Walker finds himself in the exact same situation – having been traded to the Detroit Pistons, who are reportedly working with the Bronx native on a buy-out. However, it doesn’t seem like those buy-out discussions are going according to plan.
Kemba Walker’s Pistons buyout has still not been officially agreed to.
“It feels like Walker doesn’t have another team lined up right now and there is no point in him taking less money until he does.”
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— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 7, 2022
“Per sources, the Pistons and Walker had agreed on a number, which was a few million less than what he’s owed. However, and this is just an *educated hunch,* Walker has yet to officially agree to the terms of the buyout because, well, a player usually takes a buyout when he’s sure that he can sign with another team…To sum it all up in one sentence, it feels like Walker doesn’t have another team lined up right now and there is no point in taking less money until he does,” Edwards wrote.
Yet, once the season was in full swing, it quickly became apparent that Walker wasn’t the player New York needed, as his lack of explosiveness, and high usage rate began to impact his other teammates. Eventually, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau had to make the difficult decision of benching Walker, as he searched for a winning formula with.
And some of y’all said “ defensive net rating” and all this other mumbo jumbo trying to justify Kemba not playing. 🧐
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) December 19, 2021
“I view Kemba as a starter, and so it’d be tough to play three small guards together. I gave it consideration, and I’ve got great respect for who Kemba is as a person and all he’s accomplished in this league. But I have to do what I think is best for the team,” head coach Tom Thibodeau told the New York Post at the time.
Walker did eventually return to the Knicks rotation but struggled to show the form that once made him one of the most fearsome guards in the NBA.
Whenever a former Celtic becomes a free agent, there’s always a nostalgic contingent of the fanbase that begins to champion for the player to return to the TD Garden. However, following Boston’s addition of Malcolm Brogdon this summer, the team’s guard rotation is already over-saturated.
Right now, Payton Pritchard must be wondering where his minutes are going to come from, and how he could force Ime Udoka’s hand to crack the rotation full-time. So, with so many guards already under contract, it’s almost impossible to imagine Walker finding his way back to Boston should his buyout from Detroit finally get over the line.
Still, there should be a couple of teams around the NBA that feel they can get solid production out of the veteran guard – assuming that he’s willing to embrace a bench role, which at this late juncture of his career, might be his best bet.
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