The Dallas Mavericks yesterday signed free agent guard Kemba Walker.
Walker (6-0, 178) holds career averages of 19.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 33.3 minutes per game in 741 games (696 starts) with Charlotte, Boston and New York. He has shot 36.0% (1,663-4,614 3FG) from 3-point range and 84.0% (2,801-3,333 FT) from the foul line for his career.
The 11-year veteran averaged 20-plus points in five straight seasons from 2015-16 to 2019-20, earning four consecutive All-Star nods from 2017 to 2020. Walker, who garnered All-NBA Third Team accolades with Charlotte in 2018-19, is also a two-time winner of the NBA Sportsmanship Award (2016-17 and 2017-18).
Walker was selected by Charlotte with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and spent his first eight seasons with the Bobcats/Hornets. On July 6, 2019, he was dealt to Boston along with a 2020 second-round pick in exchange for Terry Rozier and a 2020 second-round selection. After spending two seasons with the Celtics, Walker was traded to Oklahoma City along with a 2021 first-round pick and a 2025 second-round selection in exchange for Al Horford, Moses Brown and a 2023 second-round pick on June 18, 2021. He was waived by Oklahoma City on Aug. 6, 2021, and signed with New York on Aug. 11, 2021.
After appearing in 37 games (all starts) for the Knicks in 2021-22, the 32-year-old was traded to Detroit along with the draft rights to the 13th overall pick Jalen Duren in exchange for a 2025 first-round selection. Walker was waived by the Pistons on Oct. 17 and became a free agent.
The Bronx native was a three-year player at the University of Connecticut, where as a junior, he led the Huskies to the 2011 national championship en route to being named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding player. Among his other accolades earned in 2011, Walker also took home the Bob Cousy Award for college basketball’s top point guard in the nation.
Walker will wear No. 34 for the Mavericks.
