Mavericks Waive 4-Time All-Star

He was only able to get into nine games, and played just 16 minutes per contest. But it was apparently enough for the Dallas Mavericks to decide that they didn't want to guarantee Kemba Walker's contract for the rest of the season. 

Sources: Mavs are waiving Kemba Walker, whose salary would have become guaranteed Saturday. Two-way G McKinley Wright IV has earned minutes and Mavs also want to leave path for rookie Jaden Hardy to get playing time. Walker had 32-point game for Mavs and was ultimate pro.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 6, 2023

Despite a 32-point night in just his 3rd game for Dallas back on Dec. 17th, his minutes and production dwindled after that, until he was getting extremely spotty minutes and even DNPs from coach Jason Kidd. 

The 32-year-old Walker was set to have his contract guaranteed on Saturday, but the Mavs decided to waive him, choosing instead to clear a path to develop young guards McKinley Wright IV and Jaden Hardy, in order to get them more minutes. 

There’s still a chance, says Kidd, that they could sign Kemba to a 10-day. 

Walker averaged 19.3 points per game as recently as the 2020-21 season with the Boston Celtics, but injuries have derailed his effectiveness in recent years, and last season he fell out of favor with the New York Knicks. He was sent to the Detroit Pistons in a draft day deal. Detroit waived him before this season, and the Mavs decided to take a short-term look. 

Walker becomes a free agent once again, and will peddle his services around the league. 

Photo: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports