Kemba Walker is returning to Charlotte! After announcing his retirement from basketball earlier this offseason, Walker has joined the Charlotte Hornets as a player enhancement coach, reuniting with the franchise where he spent eight seasons. Although he played a season overseas, his last NBA appearance was with the Dallas Mavericks, where he notably scored 32 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jeff Peterson, the President of Basketball Operations for the Hornets, called Walker’s addition a “no-brainer,” emphasizing the value of his NBA experience for a young team.
“Kemba is a steal for us in this coaching role,” Peterson said. “His playing career speaks for itself, but it’s his ability to connect with the players and teach them essential habits that makes him special. It’s exciting to see his development from a coaching perspective.”
Walker, a four-time All-Star—three times with the Hornets—was part of the team during their last playoff appearance in 2016, and they hope he can help guide them back there in a relatively weaker Eastern Conference. He’s already forming a bond with rising star LaMelo Ball, who has faced injuries early in his career.
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have several former Mavericks on their roster, including Josh Green, who was traded there this summer and is expected to be a starter. Seth Curry and Grant Williams also joined last year as part of a trade involving P.J. Washington.
During his brief stint with Dallas in the 2022-23 season, Walker played nine games, including that impressive 32-point game against the Cavaliers, even though he totaled only 40 points in the other eight appearances. Nonetheless, his presence was a highlight for the Mavericks.
