The New York Knicks had a disappointing season, finishing with a 37-45 record last year and missing out on the playoffs just one season after finishing as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.
They were expected to compete for a playoff spot, but it was clear from the very start of the year that they were due for regression after their impressive 2020-21 season.
The Knicks agreed to a two-year deal with four-time All-Star point guard Kemba Walker last offseason, and he was expected to play a huge role as the team’s starting point guard. That didn’t play out to fruition, and Walker and the Knicks agreed for him to be sidelined for the second half of the season after it was clear that the Knicks were rebuilding.
They ultimately traded Walker to the Detroit Pistons during the 2022 NBA Draft to free salary to pursue incoming free agent Jalen Brunson, and Detroit has now made a decision on Walker.
The Pistons and Walker are finalizing a contract buyout that will make Walker a free agent, according to NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
Four-time All-Star guard Kemba Walker and the Detroit Pistons are finalizing a contract buyout, sources tell ESPN. Once Walker clears waivers, he'll join free agency.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022
Considering Detroit’s current outlook as a rebuilding team, this was an expected move as they will allow young point guard Cade Cunningham to develop as the team’s starting point guard for the future.
Many around the NBA world are excited to potentially see Walker on their favorite team next season as he enters free agency for the second straight offseason.
Starting at PG for your Los Angelas Lakers
At 6’1 out of UCONN https://t.co/l3mlHtchHY
— Sam 🐐☘️ (@S_Scott019) June 30, 2022
If he’s only looking for vet min I wouldn’t hate the Bucks taking a look at Kemba Walker. https://t.co/H47CXQTz3f
— Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch) June 30, 2022
Come back fam, the energy has shifted @KembaWalker https://t.co/AHTRsyW7fZ pic.twitter.com/AbjJajHE0k
— Tristan (@AyoTristan) June 30, 2022
Probably headed to LA https://t.co/cY1ZGS9w22
— Zak Hanshew (@ZaktheMonster) June 30, 2022
If/when Kemba Walker gets signed he will be getting paid by three teams this season. https://t.co/KJuJf1f1gz
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) June 30, 2022
Walker is clearly not the player he once was, averaging 11.6 points per game last year, which is the lowest of his 11-year NBA career.
That being said, Walker can still be a useful piece for a contending team if he were go to the right situation in a limited role off the bench.
Walker will be getting paid by three teams next season once he signs in free agency, so he could seemingly be a candidate to receive the veteran’s minimum from a contending team that is willing to take a chance on him.
