Kemba Walker suiting up for an injured Lonzo Ball might be one of the solutions for the Chicago Bulls in the upcoming 2022-23 season. In order to aid the core of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic, the Windy City could look at bringing in a point guard who could potentially fill Ball’s void.
Per the latest reports, Ball will be out for an estimated four to six weeks, and the Bulls will look for a suitable replacement during that frame. One of the names that could be considered as an option for the Wind City is Kemba Walker, currently with the Detroit Pistons.
But, he could have a potential buyout in the near future, if the Bulls decide to rope in an underrated PG who started off with the Charlotte Hornets, playing for them from 2011 to 2019. The veteran averaged 19.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds in 605 games for the franchise before his stints with the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks.
With an arthroscopic debridement of his left knee, Ball misses out on a good chunk of action maybe more if the Bulls decide to give him time to ramp up his way to the hardwood means there is a need for someone to bring what the 24-year-old brings to the table.
Walker’s dismal season with the New York Knicks last year (11.6 points and 3.5 assists on 40.3% from the field from 37 games) shouldn’t necessarily serve as a reason not to consider him a suitable replacement, considering the rich experience he brings in.
He still showed flashes of his greatness when he was re-inserted into the rotation. He scored 44 points in a loss to the Washington Wizards back in December, adding nine rebounds and eight assists to go along with seven made threes. When Ball does indeed return to the fold, Walker still serves as a solid sixth man and an impact player off the bench.
Per an analysis by Piston Powered, the 32-year-old is best served if he does get his way out of Detroit. With the franchise in a rebuild, and Walker having a few more years of game time, it makes a logical move for the guard to be bought out by the Bulls, who could use him at this stage.
Ball was signed by the Bulls last year to a four-year, $85 million contract in a sign-and-trade from the New Orleans Pelicans, but despite the initial flourish, he ended up missing 47 games due to a string of injuries, something that’s continued to plague him even before the start of the upcoming season.
The Bulls open their campaign against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena on October 20.
