Mavs Ex Kemba Walker 'Not Certain' About Making NBA Return

DALLAS — Former NBA All-Star Kemba Walker has left the NBA to sign with AS Monaco to play in Europe. He signed midseason with the Dallas Mavericks, but his stint lasted only nine games. 

Walker, 33, played a total of 144 minutes with the Mavs, averaging 8.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 16.0 minutes per game. While there was optimism about how Walker could impact the Mavs had his knee issues not flared up, there were concerns about it prior to his debut. 

"It's not good," Mavs GM Nico Harrison said of Walker's knee during a radio appearance early last season. "It's not good at all. But he's rehabbed it and it's the best he's felt in the last two years so, we'll see how long that lasts."

After the Mavs waived Walker midseason, he remained unsigned for the remainder of the 2022-23 season. Right now, he's focused on his new opportunity in Monaco as opposed to waiting to be signed by an NBA team. 

"I'm not certain. I mean, the NBA is obviously the main goal, but I've played there for many years," Walker said in an 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 still showcased how impactful he can be as long as his knee holds up. His top performance for the Mavs came against the Cleveland Cavaliers when Luka Doncic sat out on the second night of a back-to-back. Walker finished with 32 points, five rebounds, and seven rebounds in 42 minutes. 

With the NBA playing 82 games and it becoming increasingly challenging for long-time veterans to remain on rosters, Walker faces an opportunity to be a key member of a team in Europe. 

"The club was very interested in me, and I just wanted to be part of a club that wanted me, that believed in me," Walker said. "I saw that the directors felt I could help them reach another level. That's what convinced me and made me decide to join Monaco. What's more, it's an extraordinary city where I want to spend some time and gain new life experiences.

"So it's going to be a really fun time, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity. I just want to keep playing basketball at a high level, and Monaco allows me to do that"

Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).