The New York KnicksGuard Kemba WalkerThe four-time All-Star will be out for the remainder, so he can continue to train in preparation for the 2022-23 season. Sources confirmed this to ESPN on Wednesday.
After an August buyout by the Knicks, Walker, 31, signed a 2-year contract with the Knicks. Oklahoma City ThunderThe partnership did not go as planned, and Walker’s agent Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports was eventually brought in to help the team.
Walker will be on an expired contract this summer. That will allow Schwartz and Knicks to explore trade options in the offseason.
New York City is expected to be guarded Derrick RoseHe was soon back in the line-up after missing two months because of ankle surgery.
After Walker averaged 11.7 points over the first 18 games, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau removed Walker from the Knicks’ playing rotation in November. Thibodeau replaced Walker with 29 points in a loss to the Knicks on Dec. 18, after he had missed 10 games because of injuries and COVID-19. Boston Celtics— And a 44-point performance in an loss to the Washington WizardsSeveral days later.
Walker, who was suffering from knee soreness in January, moved in and outside of the Knicks lineup. Walker averaged eight points in 22 mins in February before the All-Star break. The Knicks lost seven of eight games.
Walker was with the team for his eight first NBA seasons. Charlotte HornetsHe was an All-Star and franchise pivot in the ’90s. Walker spent two seasons in Boston with the Celtics before he was traded to Oklahoma City last summer.