Kemba Walker, Detroit Pistons finalizing contract buyout, sources say

ByABC News
June 30, 2022, 9:19 AM

Four-time All-Star guard Kemba Walker and the Detroit Pistons are finalizing a contract buyout, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Thursday.

Once Walker clears waivers, he'll join free agency.

The Pistons acquired Walker from the New York Knicks last week as part of a three-team trade that included the Milwaukee Bucks and saw Detroit also acquire the draft rights to Jalen Duren.

Walker, 32, is on an expiring $9.2 million salary for this coming season.

In February, the Knicks and Walker agreed that the four-time All-Star would be sidelined for the remainder of the season to allow him to work out in preparation for 2022-23. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau dropped Walker from the Knicks' playing rotation in mid-November, and Walker also battled knee soreness in January.

Walker averaged 11.6 points and 3.0 rebounds in 37 games last season.