According to various reports, the former franchise player of the Charlotte Hornets, Kemba Walker, is set to take his talents to Europe. News from the Italian Tabloid Gazzetta Dello Sport reported that the 32-year-old Walker is nearing closing a deal with Italy’s EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (Olimpia Milano). Currently a free agent, Walker will finalize his contract after he clears his medical exams soon.
The 4-time All-Star last played for the Dallas Mavericks. Although he showed glimpses of his former all-star self on December 17, 2022, by putting up 32 points, Walker was still cut from the team earlier this month. Now, Kemba may be able to showcase his NBA talents in Europe where he could be a centerpiece for Olimpia Milano or any team he signs with.
How Kemba Walker’s NBA career went downhill
Drafted 9th overall by the Charlotte Hornets (the then Charlotte Bobcats), Kemba Walker showed promise even as a small point guard. As a University of Connecticut standout, Walker led the UConn Huskies to the 2011 NCAA Championship.
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Fast forward to his NBA career, he did not start out strong in his rookie season. Additionally, the Bobcats had the worst record in the league (probably in history too) with 7-59. It was in the following seasons that Walker broke out as a legit superstar and was the cornerstone of Charlotte going forward. Although he was voted as an All-Star on multiple occasions, Walker never brought the city to a winning culture. He was then moved from Charlotte to the Boston Celtics where he became the starting point guard as a replacement for Kyrie Irving. It’s safe to say it still didn’t end well for Boston. Sadly, he bounced around the league after his stint with the Celtics.
Unfortunately, injuries happened. Walker suffered serious injuries that endangered his NBA career. Earlier this month, Kemba Walker was cut from the Dallas Mavericks roster which means that could be his final NBA game. Walker had a great 12 seasons and averaged 19.3 points, 5.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals.
Kemba Walker joins Dwight Howard as active former NBA All-Stars to play overseas
Before Kemba, the future Hall-of-Famer center, Dwight Howard shocked the basketball world by signing to a team in Taiwan’s T1 League. DH12 would dominate the Asian league and took it by storm on his debut with 38 points, 25 rebounds, 9 assists, and 9 blocks in his Taoyuan Leopards win over Taipei CTBC DEA.
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Truthfully, veterans like Kemba Walker, Dwight Howard, and Carmelo Anthony (who is currently a free agent) still have a lot of gas left in their tanks. It’s odd that not one team has signed them although they still clearly have a lot left to offer.
Could Kemba Walker return to the NBA someday? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. For more content, stay with us, here at Spiel Times.
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