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Kemba Walker isn’t the player he was when he made four consecutive All-Star teams between 2017 and 2020. But he can still provide positive value.
The Mavericks signed the 32-year-old guard as a “back-burner option” who can serve as another creator to provide offensive flexibility. Walker really struggled to score at the rim while he was playing for the Knicks last season, but if he is able to knock down his spot-up jumpers, he can help Dallas as a floor spacer.
Although he is still primarily a pick-and-roll ball handler, Walker has had success playing off the ball as well. He has historically shot well using off-ball screens and handoffs, and when he has had unguarded catch-and-shoot attempts, he has knocked them down at a high clip.
Kemba Walker – C&S three's:
21-22: 40.9%
20-21: 39.3%
19-20: 42.0%
18-19: 34.8%
17-18: 40.3%
16-17: 46.4%
15-16: 44.3%That seems very relevant considering where he's signing.
— Morten Stig Jensen (@msjnba) November 28, 2022
At one point, Walker was one of the most efficient shooters off the catch in the entire league. Even last year when he scored a career-low 11.6 points per game, per Synergy, Walker ranked in the 89th percentile on unguarded catch-and-shoot attempts. The season prior, while with the Celtics, Walker ranked 91st percentile.
Walker will have plenty of these opportunities during the minutes he plays alongside Luka Doncic. Since his NBA debut in 2018, no one has assisted on more 3-pointers (990) than Doncic. Tyrese Haliburton is the only player who has assisted on more 3-pointers than Doncic (70) so far this season.
Among all teams in the Western Conference, only two are taking more wide-open 3-pointers per game (19.8) than the Mavericks. Doncic draws enough attention from his opponents that his teammates often benefit, and that could be enough for Walker to make a difference down the stretch.
The Tip-Off
Some NBA goodness from around the USA TODAY Sports network.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto spoke to Damian Lillard about Jerami Grant. Here is what he had to say:
“I think he’s added a layer to our team on both ends of the floor. A lot of times, he’s taking the toughest matchup defensively. He’s using his size, length and athleticism to be disruptive and give guys like Anfernee and myself the opportunity to play off the ball and not wear ourselves out on the defensive end of the floor every possession and then have to go score and make plays as much as we do offensively. On offense, he’s been able to score in isolation, transition, hit catch-and-shoot threes, and post up. He’s doing so many different things for us on both ends of the floor. He’s so versatile. It’s made us a much better team having him.”
Grant is eligible for a four-year, $112 million extension with Portland in January.
One To Watch
(All odds via Tipico.)
Lakers (-170, -3.5) vs. Pacers (+145), O/U 238.5, 10:30 PM ET
After all of the rumors about a potential trade that would send Russell Westbrook to the Pacers that swirled throughout the offseason, this is a fascinating game. The Pacers are now unexpectedly near the top of the standings in the Eastern Conference while the Lakers (despite a recent hot streak) are bottomfeeders in the West.
Shootaround
— Giannis Antetokounmpo played with a toy dinosaur during a timeout and it was so adorable
— Cedi Osman’s nose started leaking yellow fluid and NBA fans were so confused
— Could the Celtics turn to the Thunder to trade for frontcourt help?
— HoopsHype’s trade rumor rankings: John Collins, Jae Crowder, and more