<![CDATA[Kemba Walker signing with Knicks after Thunder buyout]]> https://usagag.com/2021/08/04/kemba-walker-signing-with-knicks-after-thunder-buyout/ Wed, 04 Aug 2021 10:55:16 +0000 hourly 1 https://usagag.com Kemba Walker signing with Knicks after Thunder buyout Kemba Walker is coming home.

The Bronx native has agreed to join the Knicks and form a point-guard tandem with Derrick Rose after being bought out by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, according to an NBA source.

Kemba Walker is coming home.
NBAE via Getty Images

There was no trade market for Walker given his max contract — a four-year, $140 million deal signed with the Hornets that has two years and $74 million left on it.

It wasn’t immediately clear what Walker would be signing for with the Knicks.

The 31-year-old’s play slipped this past season as his body broke down due to knee injuries, playing in 43 of 72 games with Boston. But the Knicks feel Walker is still an All-Star-caliber guard if his body is right.

Kemba Walker is joining the Knicks.
Getty Images

Walker, a four-time All-Star, showed glimpses last season, averaging 20 points and five assists after the All-Star Break.

The Knicks, whose offseason appears finished, have a very real possibility of maintaining their fourth-seed standing if Walker returns to All-Star form.

Kemba Walker facing the Nets in the 2021 playoffs.
Corey Sipkin

The Knicks swapped out Elfrid Payton for Walker at point guard and upgraded Evan Fournier for Reggie Bullock at shooting guard.

The Thunder initially acquired Walker from the Celtics in June for the purpose of flipping him.

But there ended up being no market for Walker given his contact and the Knicks got lucky.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Marc Berman

]]>