New York Knicks to sign PG Kemba Walker (Report)
Kemba Walker has agreed to a buyout with the Oklahoma City Thunder and plans to sign with the New York Knicks.
All-Star point guard Kemba Walker has agreed to a buyout with the Oklahoma City Thunder and plans to sign with the New York Knicks, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
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
The Boston Celtics traded Walker to the Thunder for Al Horford back in June. Injuries limited him to 43 games, but he still averaged 19.3 points and 4.9 assists per game. Walker also shot 36% from three and is still just 31 years old.
Even with the injuries, this is a huge get for the New York Knicks. Instead of going big in free agency, they retained most of their strong core from last season. Now, they get to add Kemba Walker, a Bronx native who also starred at MSG while playing for UConn.
Walker, 31, is likely going to take over as the starting point guard after Elfrid Payton manned the position last season. He is one of two free agents who will be entering the starting lineup in New York. His Celtics teammate Evan Fournier is also coming over after signing a four-year, $78 million deal.
There was no trade market for Walker after his injury-plagued 2020-21 season. That’s why the Knicks were waiting for the Thunder to buy out the four-time All-Star.
There is no word on what Walker’s contract looks like yet, but the Knicks don’t have too much money to spend after their flurry of first-day deals.
Check ESNY’s Knicks free agency tracker for all the latest updates.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOKUSE CODE ELITE1500 & GET UP TO $1,500 PAID BACK IN BONUS BETS
BET365 SPORTSBOOKBET $10 & GET $200 WIN OR LOSE
THESCORE BET SPORTSBOOKUSE CODE ELITE TO GET 100% BET RESET UP TO $1,000
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOKBET $5 & GET $100 IN BONUS BETS INSTANTLY!
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOKBET $5 & GET $250 IN BONUS BETS IF YOUR BET WINS!
CAESARS SPORTSBOOKUSE CODE ESNYDYW & DOUBLE YOUR WINNINGS ON YOUR FIRST 10 WAGERS!
DRAFTKINGS T&Cs: GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $100 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 5/31/26 at 11:59 PM ET.
BETMGM T&Cs: Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US), 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in MS, NY, NV, ON, or PR.
BET365 SPORTSBOOK T&Cs: Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply.
Josh Benjamin has been a staff writer at ESNY since 2018. He has had opinions about everything, especially the Yankees and Knicks. He co-hosts the “Bleacher Creatures” podcast and is always looking for new pieces of sports history to uncover, usually with a Yankee Tavern chicken parm sub in hand.
