Former All-Star Kemba Walker ‘Not Sure’ About NBA Return

Kemba Walker is not sure if he’ll play in the NBA again. The new AS Monaco Basket guard wants to focus on his new journey in France.

“I’m not certain. I mean, the NBA is obviously the main goal, but I’ve played there for many years,” Walker said in his first interview after joining Monaco. “For now, I’m solely focused on my new adventure, this experience that awaits me with the new life I’m going to have. I’m so excited and eager to seize this opportunity in Monaco.

“I can’t wait to explore the city and meet the people, my teammates, the staff, and everything surrounding the club. We’re going to have some great moments. Can’t wait for it to begin.”

Walker appeared in nine games with the Dallas Mavericks last season. He averaged 8.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 42.1% from the field, 25.0% from beyond the arc and 81.0% from the free-throw line. The 33-year-old scored 32 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 17, 2022.

Walker has career NBA averages of 19.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists with the Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Mavericks. He made the 2018-19 All-NBA third team after averaging 25.6 points, 5.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds for the Hornets.

Walker used to be one of the best point guards in the NBA before his knees started acting up. The New York native’s knees began to deteriorate after the 2019-20 season. While Walker put up 19.3 points and 4.9 assists per game in 2020-21, the veteran only averaged 12.7 points in the 2021 playoffs while shooting 31.7% from the floor with the Celtics.

Walker spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Bobcats/Hornets. He averaged 19.8 points and 5.5 assists across 605 games while making three All-Star teams. Walker joined the Celtics in the summer of 2019 and had a stellar first year in Beantown. He averaged 20.4 points and 4.8 assists and helped the Celtics reach the Eastern Conference Finals.

During the summer of 2021, the Celtics traded Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC waived Walker, allowing the guard to sign with his hometown Knicks. Walker, though, only appeared in 37 games with the Knicks. He was removed from the rotation by head coach Tom Thibodeau, and shortly after that, Walker and the team agreed for the veteran to be away from the club.

The Knicks traded Walker to the Detroit Pistons last summer. The Pistons waived Walker, who signed with the Mavericks in November 2022.