Knicks land Kemba Walker on buyout with Oklahoma City, he’s coming home

Originally posted on Empire Sports Media
By Alexander Wilson | Last updated 8/4/21

In a massive splash move on Wednesday morning, the New York Knicks landed star point guard Kemba Walker, who is finalizing a contract buy-out with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Walker is coming off a four-year, $140.7 million deal and was projected to earn $36 million this upcoming season with a $37.6 million player option in 2022.

Instead, Walker will sign a brand new contract in New York after averaging 19.3 points, 4.9 assists, and shooting 42% from the field last season over 43 games. Having landed four All-Star appearances in the last five years, the Knicks finally have their point guard of the future, as the Bronx native has been eyeing a return home for quite some time.

Kemba Walker is finalizing a contract buyout with the Thunder and the New York Knicks will sign the four-time NBA All-Star as a free agent, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 4, 2021

Just two years ago, Kemba averaged 20.4 points, 4.8 assists, and shot 42.5% from the field with a 38% clip from the three-point over 8.4 attempts per game.

This massive move injects Walker into a point guard room including Derrick Rose, Miles McBride, and Luca Vildoza. However, Luca has a non-guaranteed contract, so the Knicks could theoretically let him go and save $3.3 million for the upcoming season.

As a fantastic ball-handler and offensive weapon, Cardiac-Kemba should add a significant name next to Julius Randle, taking a ton of pressure off the star power forward. The Knicks we’re looking to make a splash in free agency, and while they focused on bringing back some of their own, this undoubtedly takes the cake.

This article first appeared on Empire Sports Media and was syndicated with permission.

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