The slumping Mavericks are apparently turning to free agency in hopes that a former All-Star can give them a lift.
Dallas was closing in on a deal with veteran point guard Kemba Walker early on Monday, according to multiple reports.
The 32-year-old, four-time All-Star last suited up for the Knicks, last season. He was traded to the Pistons in the offseason after a disappointing and injury-plagued 37-game stint, and later bought out by Detroit.
In Dallas, Walker will provide ballhandling and perimeter shooting off the bench, according to NBA insider Marc Stein, who first reported the signing. The deal was pending physicals for Walker, who has dealt with knee injuries throughout his career.
The Mavericks have lost four in a row, dropping them to 9-10 on the season, good for 11th place in the 15-team Western Conference. Team star Luka Doncic continues to play like a potential MVP candidate, but the supporting cast around him has struggled at times.
Walker spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets, then the next two before in Boston before his ill-fated stint in New York. For his career, he's averaging 19.5 points on 41% shooting, including 36% from deep and 84% from the line, in 33 minutes per game, with 5.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals.
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