The Detroit Pistons and Kemba Walker have agreed to a buyout, a league source confirmed Thursday to the Free Press.
The Pistons acquired Walker, 32, in a trade with the New York Knicks during the 2022 NBA draft that also brought Jalen Duren, the No. 13 pick of the draft, and $6 million in cash to Detroit. Walker’s expiring contract will count roughly $9.2 million against the Pistons’ books next season, and the buyout will allow Walker to enter unrestricted free agency before the mortarium begins at 6 p.m. Thursday.
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The Knicks unloaded Walker’s contract as a salary dump as they prepare to make a run at Dallas Mavericks unrestricted free agent Jalen Brunson.
In a separate deal Tuesday with the Knicks, Detroit acquired Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel, Detroit’s 2023 second-round pick and a heavily-protected 2024 second-rounder from the Miami Heat.
Walker struggled last season, his first in New York after two seasons in Boston, falling out of the Knicks’ rotation at times and averaging career lows in points (11.6), assists (3.5) and minutes (25.6) per game.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons, Kemba Walker agree to contract buyout
