Report: Kemba finalizing buyout with Pistons, will enter free agency

Kemba Walker is finalizing a contract buyout with the Detroit Pistons and will enter free agency once he clears waivers, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

Walker's stay in Detroit was short-lived after the guard arrived in the Motor City last week as part of a three-team trade with the New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets on draft night. The 32-year-old is owed $9.2 million from the Pistons for the 2022-23 season following the buyout, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.

The four-time All-Star's production has tailed off in recent years but took a noticeably steeper dive in his first season with the Knicks in 2021-22. Walker averaged a career-low 11.6 points while attempting just 10 shots per game across 37 appearances and was ultimately dropped from head coach Tom Thibodeau's rotation. The Knicks agreed to shut down Walker for the season on Feb. 23 to allow him to continue rehabbing a lingering knee injury.

Walker has suited up for the Knicks, Hornets, and Boston Celtics over his 11-year career. He's averaged 19.5 points with a 41/36/84 shooting line, 5.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 741 NBA games (696 starts).