Kemba Walker Waived: 3 Potential Landing Spots

He was never going to suit up for the Detroit Pistons, even when they acquired him in a Draft Night trade as part of a package from the New York Knicks. The Pistons and Kemba Walker agreed that he would not report to training camp, and they, in turn, would work on some way to get him to another team.

A trade couldn't be found, and a buyout couldn't be agreed on. So the Pistons waived the 4-time All-Star today, making him a free agent and able to sign with any team.

BREAKING: The Detroit Pistons have waived Kemba Walker.

Who should sign him? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/9E8kaTyLEY
— NBA Buzz (@OfficialNBABuzz) October 17, 2022

The 11-year veteran isn't the same 20-point scorer he was in his Charlotte heyday, but he can definitely still provide a spark off the bench for a team in need.

Here are potential landing spots for Kemba:

1. Charlotte Hornets

This one makes sense in so many ways. Walker is beloved in Charlotte and had his greatest success there, notching three of his four All-Star nods in his eight seasons in the Queen City, and averaged 19.8 points over that time.

He was also a special guest of Hornets' brass at a preseason game 10 days ago and got himself a nice ovation from the crowd.

Kemba Walker in the building tonight to watch his two former teams pic.twitter.com/1i2lUoPZMW
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 8, 2022

On top of all that, the Hornets have guard trouble: LaMelo Ball is recovering from a sprained ankle, and today it was revealed that James Bouknight is in trouble with the law.

2. Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs have been looking for some backcourt depth after the loss of Jalen Brunson in free agency to the New York Knicks. Any backup ballhandlers on the roster would not have to carry a heavy load, what with Luka Doncic and Spencer Dinwiddie taking on the bulk of the responsibilities.

This potential destination could possibly have taken a hit after the Mavericks confirmed the signing of point guard Facu Campazzo on Monday.

3. Miami Heat

Kyle Lowry had a number of injury problems last season, and at 36, is in need of plenty of load management. Kemba, although he's no longer ready to take on a huge load anymore himself, is still only 32, and did show some flashes of being an elite guard in short stretches last season. In fact, he delivered a six-game hot stretch for the Knicks that was capped by an electric 44-point performance.