It's finally official: Kemba Walker will NOT be part of the Detroit Pistons. The moment he was traded to the Pistons from the New York Knicks, most fans immediately knew that he wasn't going to be staying with the team. After all, they are very clearly in the midst of a rebuild, and Walker doesn't fit that timeline.
A few hours before the official start of the NBA free agency, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported what many expected to happen. Kemba Walker will be bought out by the Pistons, making him a free agent. The point guard will likely be one of the biggest names on the market.
Four-time All-Star guard Kemba Walker and the Detroit Pistons are finalizing a contract buyout, sources tell ESPN. Once Walker clears waivers, he'll join free agency.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022
Walker, a four-time NBA All-Star, was acquired by the Knicks last season. Unfortunately for him, injuries hampered his play on the court. It eventually led to him being benched in the middle of the season. He was traded by the Knicks to the Pistons during the 2022 NBA draft in a cap-clearing move.
While it would've been fun to see Walker mentor Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, it was almost never going to happen. The ex-Pistons guard still has a lot left in the tank, after all. Walker would prefer to compete for a contending team than to waste his prime years on a rebuilding team.
Still, the future looks bright for the Detroit Pistons after the NBA draft. They acquired Ivey and Jalen Duren, both of which will fit perfectly alongside Cunningham. In a few years' time, we will very likely hear this team come up in playoff conversations.
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