Kemba Walker Out for the Season
The New York Knicks and Kemba Walker have agreed that he will be sidelined for the remainder of the year. This will give Walker the chance to work out and get ready for the 2022-2023 season. Walker had signed a two year deal with the Knicks after a buyout in August with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“We fully support Kemba’s decision to shut it down for the remainder of the season and use this time to prepare for next season. His long-term success on the court remains our priority.” Said Leon Rose Knicks president of basketball operations.
Statement from New York Knicks President Leon Rose on Kemba Walker pic.twitter.com/n0dpbJd2zl
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) February 23, 2022
Walker’s homecoming has not gone as planned for him or the Knicks. The first 18 games of the season Walker averaged 11.7 points per game. Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau took Walker out of the lineup by mid-November. After sitting out 10 games the Knicks were hit with COVID and injuries causing Thibodeau to play Walker again. Walker came back in the lineup and looked great. He had 29 points against the Boston Celtics, days later he post 44 against the Washington Wizards and on Christmas he records a triple double.
In January he was in and out of the lineup with knee soreness. He averaged eight points per game while playing 22 minutes per game before the all-star break in February.
The Knicks will have an opportunity to this summer to trade Walker as he is on an expiring contract.