Kemba Walker to the Knicks.

Veteran point guard Kemba Walker has agreed to a contract buyout with the Thunder, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link), who reports that Walker will sign with the Knicks once he clears waivers.

The Thunder acquired Walker from Boston back in June in Brad Stevens‘ first major roster move as the Celtics’ president of basketball operations. Although that deal was considered a salary-dump, with Oklahoma City receiving a first-round pick for taking on Walker, a report last week stated the Thunder believed they might be able to flip him to another team for an asset.Veteran point guard Kemba Walker has agreed to a contract buyout with the Thunder, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link), who reports that Walker will sign with the Knicks once he clears wai

A good landing spoke for Kemba. I hope he stays healthy.

Kemba Walker switching teams again, heading to Knicks

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By Ryan Chichester

August 4, 202112:00 pm

Kemba Walker is returning to the hometown arena that made him a college star.

The Bronx native is reportedly finalizing a buyout with the Thunder, and after clearing waivers, will sign as a free agent with the Knicks, according to multiple reports. The move isn’t a major splash like signing Chris Paul or trading for Damian Lillard, but after signing Derrick Rose to a 3-year deal earlier this week, New York has solidified its point guard position for next season.



Point guard was a glaring position of need after last season, as Knicks starter Elfrid Payton saw his minutes dwindle down the stretch of the regular season before losing his starting job to Rose in the playoffs. Now, with Walker in the fold, Rose likely won’t be called upon for 30-plus minutes a night like he was in the playoffs, where he was nursing a nagging injury before New York was eliminated in five games by the Hawks.

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Walker has battled injuries in recent years, and had two years and $74 million left on his contract. The 31-year-old made a name for himself at Madison Square Garden in his UConn days during the 2011 Big East Tournament, which led him to being drafted ninth overall by Charlotte in 2011.

Walker played in all 82 games during the 2018-19 season, but has played in just 99 games since, including 43 last year with the Celtics due to a nagging knee injury. He averaged 19.3 points, 4.9 assists and 4.0 rebounds last season, shooting 42 percent from the field and 36 percent from downtown. It was the first time in five years that he wasn’t named to the All-Star team.

Walker was traded to Oklahoma City back in June, but won’t play a game for them as he is headed home to New York.

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OKC didn't have to give up a first round pick and take on Al Horford's contract to rid of him.

A buyout doesn't remove Kemba from OKC's books.  A buyout just settles Kemba's compensation and then he is released from his contract.  OKC is still paying him a good bit because he was owed $74M for two years ($37M/year average, I don't know the actual yearly breakdown).  He reportedly will only get $8M/year for the Knicks (For 3 years?, this I also cannot find).  Kemba will likely get a most of the $74M after all is said and done.

I believe OKC now has to stretch Kemba's remaining contract value out for five years. We gave OKC a first round pick to do exactly what they are doing, eating part of his contract.  

NBA Salary Cap 101.

PS: The Knicks win in this transaction if Kemba stays relatively healthy.

A cap hold (x5 years) will eventually show up on OKC's salary page, but by the time we can see it, this conversation will be long forgotten.

OK, so Brad made a good move. Danny left a brown paper bag full of steaming scata on his front porch. Happy early Halloween.

worcester wrote:OK, so Brad made a good move. Danny left a brown paper bag full of steaming scata on his front porch. Happy early Halloween.

I don't make that connection.

But Happy Halloween anyway!!

Danny left Brad with very little good from the GH departure. He also left Brad with a 4 year contract for Carsen Edwards and the sequelae of the Kemba contract....that altogether is the brown bag full of ...

Marcus, RWill, JB, and JT are the Christmas presents worth keeping. PP, RL, and AN too. I like Danny. He did much good, but he left us with some stinker deals also. Leaving a bag of poop is an old Halloween trick.