There was a time when veteran Kemba Walker played point guard for the Boston Celtics and was projected to be their primary backcourt piece. Even though the plan didn’t work out, that hasn’t stop the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown from paying tribute to the former Charlotte Hornets star after he announced his NBA retirement.
Walker, the former four-time NBA All-Star and the all-time leading scorer for the Charlotte Hornets, has announced his retirement from professional basketball. After a 12-year career in the NBA, the 33-year-old guard is set to join the Hornets’ coaching staff as a player enhancement coach under new head coach Charles Lee.

Walker’s illustrious career saw him spend eight seasons with the Hornets franchise, where he became the team’s all-time leading scorer with 12,009 points. He also had stints with the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks, but was hampered by knee issues in recent years, playing just 37 games with the Knicks in 2021-22 and only nine games with the Mavericks last season.
With his playing days now behind him, Kemba Walker will transition to the coaching side, looking to share his knowledge and experience with the next generation of NBA players.
Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Pays Tribute to Kemba Walker After Retiring From NBA

After his stellar run with the Hornets, Walker joined the Celtics via a sign-and-trade deal in 2019. This two-year stint allowed him to get close with the All-Star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. In turn, the two champions paid tribute to their former teammate in a video Daniel Donabedian shared on X.
Joe Mazzulla, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart, and Grant Williams all had nice farewell videos for Kemba Walker.
“It was an honor and a privilege to be your teammate. From a kid that literally grew up and watched you in the NCAA Tournament,” said Tatum.
(🎥 @excelsm) pic.twitter.com/LDgDG3n2VJ
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) July 2, 2024
During his time playing in Boston, Walker averaged 19.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. He also shot 42 percent from the field, 37 percent from deep, and 87 percent from the free throw line in his time as a Celtic.

Even though Walker’s time on the court is now over, he will still continue making an impact, especially for Charlotte’s current roster of players next season. If Brown and Tatum’s messages are any indication, the former point guard will certainly leave a mark in his new line of work in the NBA.

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