As expected, the Knicks have signed veteran point guard Kemba Walker, with the team officially announcing the move in a press release.
“We are beyond thrilled to bring native New Yorker Kemba Walker back to the city he’s proud to call home,” Knicks president Leon Rose said. “He’s a tremendous talent whose skill and leadership will be a huge addition to our organization.
“We’ve already seen how well he performs on The Garden stage and can’t wait to witness it on a nightly basis in front of his family, friends and the best fans in the league.”
Walker was traded from the Celtics to the Thunder after the season. He then agreed to a buyout with Oklahoma City, making him an unrestricted free agent and able to sign with New York.
Walker, 31, averaged 19.3 points and 4.9 assists in 43 regular-season games with the Celtics last season, and then was traded to the Thunder in a deal for centers Al Horford and Moses Brown and a draft pick.
He was due to make more than $36 million next season, with a player option for more than $37 million in 2022-23.
Welcome back home, @KembaWalker! #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/JCACfj1jO0
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) August 11, 2021
Meanwhile, the Thunder still benefit from the Walker buyout.
“OKC traded for Walker and the 16th pick in the July Draft, and already flipped that for two future firsts in a draft night deal,” Wojnarowski wrote. “Remaining value of trade for OKC allows them to distribute minutes to their young players as they transition into rebuild this season.”
If Walker can stay healthy, he will offer the rising Knicks some veteran leadership and know-how in key moments.
Along with Walker, the Knicks have Derrick Rose and Immanuel Quickley to help run the show.
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