Kemba Walker will soon become a free agent soon. After being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder this offseason by the Celtics, Walker and his agents have come to an agreement with OKC to a contract buyout. This will allow Walker to sign a new contract with a different NBA team.
NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news, stating that Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti is negotiating with Kemba Walker’s agents to complete the buyout for the former All-Star. Walker has 2 years, $74 million left on his contract, so the two parties must have some sort of agreement in which Kemba gets paid a lump sum smaller than $74 million in order to become a free agent.
OKC’s Sam Presti and Walker’s agents at Excel Sports, Jeff Schwartz and Javon Phillips, worked through buyout on the two years, $74M left on Walker’s contract in recent days. Walker gets a dream homecoming to Madison Square Garden to further solidify New York’s backcourt.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 4, 2021
Upon confirming the buyout, Walker is expected to sign with the New York Knicks. Walker is from New York and is eyeing a return to his hometown. For the Knicks, Walker will add an elite option in the backcourt to put alongside Derrick Rose, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and many more. There will be questions surrounding how Walker and Rose will get the minutes they need, given that they are two of the best players on the team at the moment. But head coach Tom Thibodeau must have some sort of plan before he gave the green light for the signing.
Walker is very familiar with the hallowed halls of MSG. He had one of the greatest clutch shots at the Garden when he led UConn to collegiate success against Pittsburgh in the quarterfinal of March Madness in 2010. But Walker will be returning as a former All-Star to his hometown. Kemba can help the development of the Knicks’ latest centerpiece in Julius Randle. If the Knicks can make some more moves through the course of this offseason, they could become a strong contender in the East next season.
