Report: Kemba Walker headed to Knicks after agreeing to Thunder buyout
Kemba Walker is ready to start a new chapter with his hometown New York Knicks.
The Bronx native has reportedly agreed to a buyout with the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, and plans to sign with the Knicks once he clears waivers.
Four-time All-Star guard Kemba Walker has agreed to a contract buyout with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and upon clearing waivers, plans to sign with the New York Knicks, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 4, 2021
Walker, 31, was traded by the Charlotte Hornets before the 2019-20 season, landing with the Boston Celtics in a sign-and-trade deal. Walker and the Celtics agreed to a four-year, $141 million deal, but he would spend only two of those years in Boston.
The Celtics traded Walker to the Thunder in June in exchange for big man Al Horford and Moses Brown. Oklahoma City took him with the goal of flipping him, but with two years and $74 million left on his deal, Walker's trade market was severely limited. The details of the buyout aren't immediately known.
OKC’s Sam Presti and Walker’s agents at Excel Sports, Jeff Schwartz and Javon Phillips, worked through buyout on the two years, $74M left on Walker’s contract in recent days. Walker gets a dream homecoming to Madison Square Garden to further solidify New York’s backcourt.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 4, 2021
We also don't know any details of the forthcoming contract between Walker and the Knicks, but his presence will only make an enticing New York team even better. He'll solidify their backcourt and take the pressure off of Julius Randle as well as Derrick Rose, the bencher who ended up in the Knicks' starting lineup during the playoffs.
If the Knicks' first-round playoff lost proved anything, it's that they needed more playmakers than just Randle. Walker, a four-time All-Star, can be that guy — if he's healthy. Due to recurrent knee issues, he missed 29 games during the 2020-21 season, including the first 11 of the season and several during the playoffs.
Walker's home court will now be Madison Square Garden, which happens to be the site of his positively legendary step back with UConn during the NCAA tournament in 2011.
It’s kemba’s birthday so you know i gotta post the best step back in history. RIP Gary McGhee’s ankles. Legend pic.twitter.com/kPgvydBq65
— Justin (@Hillmaticc) May 8, 2020
Now, Walker has the chance to make many more highlight plays at the Garden.
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