Antoine Walker has played pickup games with the Charlotte Bobcats recently, in an apparent attempt to score a camp invite. While the absurdity of a potential Antoine return makes me chuckle, Marc Stein writes that Antoine really has lost the rumored 18-25 pounds, and “perhaps he is somehow closer to an NBA comeback than skeptics believe.” (ESPN)

So it certainly made some sense when word reached Stein Line HQ on Sunday night that Toine is expected to arrive in Charlotte this week to stay with Bobcats center Nazr Mohammed, his buddy and fellow Kentucky Wildcat, and join in daily pickup games at the Bobcats’ facility leading up to the start of camp on Sept. 28.

Emphasis on some.

Despite Walker’s Charlotte connections, one source close to the situation says that the three-time former All-Star has no assurances from the Bobcats that he’ll be extended an official opportunity to stay for camp and attempt to make their team, no matter how far he goes back with Bobcats boss Michael Jordan. It is not yet known whether Walker can score that invite with a successful tryout in Charlotte, after a recent Twitter posting from John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal hinting at that possibility.

Antoine’s really getting in good shape? He’s actually getting in good shape? Consider me flabbergasted. When I heard Antoine’s uncle talk about how much weight Antoine had lost, I figured it was just Uncle Hype Man talking nonsense. I don’t even remember what an in-shape Antoine Walker looks like. I can only recall the overweight, lazy bastard who held a Rasheed-like passion for the three-point arc. (Note: Even then, I adored Antoine. There was just something about the Walker Wiggle that made me fall in love.)

In shape or not, I don’t know what would make any team, including the Bobcats, pay Antoine Walker money to play basketball. He’s 34 years old, never proved he could be a role player, and hasn’t contributed anything positive to the sport in four full years. Unless the NBA starts counting four-pointers, Antoine should be forced to take his talents overseas.