The New York Knicks and guard Kemba Walker have come to agreement that he will sit out the remainder of 2021-22 NBA season to instead prepare for next season, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The team released a statement supporting the decision, with Walker’s ”long-term success” in mind.
“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,” President of Basketball Operations Leon Rose said.
“His long-term success on the court remains our priority.”
The four-time All-Star signed a two-year, $17.9 million deal with New York this past off-season after securing a buyout from Oklahoma City, to whom he was traded from Boston.
His Knicks’ tenure has been rocky from the beginning, with the 31-year-old being yanked in and out of the rotation and generally struggling for long stretches when on the floor. Walker has averaged 11.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg and 3.5 apg in 25.6 mpg this season – all career-lows.
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With Walker shut-down for the Knicks’ remaining 23 games and entering next season as an expiring contract, the aim this off-season will likely be to trade him. With guard Derrick Rose expected to return for New York in the near future after a two-month layoff due to ankle surgery, Walker has become more expendable moving as the Knicks prepare for a late-season push.
The Knicks are currently 25-34 and are three-and-a-half games back of the play-in.
Following a playoff appearance last season and an off-season which saw them add backcourt pieces Walker and Evan Fournier, expectations were high in New York but this season has not gone to plan and, if they are unable to hit some form in the coming weeks, their focus will be forced to shift to the draft lottery.
