AS Monaco created the sensation of this summer transfer window in Betclic Elite, by announcing the arrival of Kemba Walker, who played 750 games in the NBA, notably in Charlotte. The leader, however, has been struggling for a few years.
By recruiting Petr Cornelie, Mam Jaiteh and Terry Tarpey, AS Monaco, reigning French champions, had already managed a nice summer transfer window. But by announcing the arrival of Kemba Walker this Friday afternoon, the Roca Team struck a very big blow. The 33-year-old point guard was still an NBA superstar a few years ago, and he will try to breathe new life into his career on the Rock. Drafted in ninth position by Charlotte in 2011, the native of the Bronx wrote the history of the North Carolina franchise, of which he simply became the top scorer (12,009 pts).
From 2011 to 2019, Kemba Walker played 605 regular season games and 11 play-offs for Charlotte, even finishing at 25.6 points on average last season, with a record 60 points against Philadelphia in November 2018. Selected three times in the All Star Game during his time with the Hornets (called the Bobcats at the time of his draft), Kemba Walker never managed to lead his team, being eliminated in 2014 and 2016 by Miami.
Chess in New York and Dallas
In the summer of 2019, the leader therefore decided to leave his lifelong franchise and joined Boston. But even if he signed a four-year contract with the Celtics, he only stayed two seasons, for 119 games played, the fault in particular of a recalcitrant left knee. After a Conference final and a loss in the first round, Boston decides to send him to Oklahoma City in the summer of 2021. The beginning of the end for Walker, who was then cut, before signing for New York, his hometown.
But at the Knicks, he only played 37 games before being dropped from the team. Sent to Detroit (without playing) then recruited by Dallas, he only played nine games with the Mavericks. In the Texan jersey, he had scored 32 points against Cleveland in December 2022. His last stroke of brilliance before being cut in January. On paper, the recruitment of Kemba Walker therefore seems exceptional. It remains to be seen what it will look like on the floor. But if the ASM recruited her, it’s because she surely has guarantees about the condition of her knee…
ᴋᴇᴍʙᴀ ᴡᴀʟᴋᴇʀ ᴇsᴛ ᴍᴏɴéɢᴀsǫᴜᴇ 🔴⚪️
✍️ AS Monaco is pleased to announce the signing for the upcoming season of the American leader 🇺🇸
4️⃣ times All-Star 🌟 Charlotte Hornets all-time leading scorer (12,009 points) played 750 NBA games 🔛
— AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) July 21, 2023
