Detroit Pistons: Kemba Walker refuses to go away. So what now?

Kemba Walker’s tenure with the Detroit Pistons was supposed to be a formality, some paper work that would see the 32-year-old guard bought out and sent on his merry way.

Walker came as a salary dump in a trade with the Knicks, and it was widely reported that he would be bought out.

But here we are just nine days before the start of the regular season and Kemba Walker is still technically on the Detroit Pistons, though he was recently spotted at a Celtics vs Hornets game that was happening at the same time as Detroit’s preseason matchup.

Detroit apparently didn’t want to pay Walker to play for another team, so had been reportedly shopping him around in possible trades.

Nothing ever materialized, as it turns out 32-year-old guards with lengthy injury histories don’t have a ton of value on the trade market, especially when the other teams know that you don’t have any leverage.

The Pistons reluctantly gave in and offered Walker a buyout, which he refused according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.

Walker has said he’s not going to accept less money unless there is another team lined up to sign him and so far there are no teams rushing to join that queue. So what happens now?

Detroit Pistons: What is going to happen with Kemba Walker?

Option #1: An eventual buyout

Eventually if Kemba Walker actually wants to play this season, he’s going to have to accept a buyout, which will probably be somewhere between the Pistons last offer and his full salary.

Walker says he wants to play according to the Boston Globe:

"“I’ve got something in the tank, for sure,” he said. “I feel great. I’m going to be honest. I’m going to have my opportunity. I’m not in any rush right now. I’m just grinding and trying to feel as good as I can. And right now, I feel great. I feel as good as I’ve felt in a long time. I’m just waiting for the opportunity.”"

You can’t really blame Walker for playing hardball here. If he doesn’t have another team lined up, why take anything less than the full amount you are owed? Unfortunately, the Pistons don’t have much leverage here, as they are on the hook to pay Walker his money, but on the other hand, if they have to pay him anyway, there really isn’t a rush.

Option #2: Nothing

The Pistons could just go the John Wall route, and pay Walker not to play for them. There isn’t a trade market for Walker now, but who knows, injuries could lead to teams getting desperate and there may be a taker later on in the season.

Detroit could just wait it out and see if any kind of market materializes. If it does, then they’d be off the hook for some of Walker’s salary, and if it doesn’t, they have to pay him anyway, so what’s the harm?

The answer is that the Pistons have 16 roster spots filled so have to get it down to 15, so keeping Walker means cutting someone else, which isn’t likely to happen.

It’s basically just going to come down to who blinks first. If Walker’s desire to play outweighs his desire to get the full $9.1 million he is owed, then he’ll accept a buyout and risk of a few of those dollars. If he’d rather get it all and see what happens, the Pistons may accommodate that wish and hope they can recoup some of that money later.

In the end, the buyout will likely happen soon and this is all just posturing over the exact amount.