AP source: Kemba Walker headed home to play for Knicks

Kemba Walker and the Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to a buyout of the final two years of his contract, and once that is completed the four-time All-Star guard will sign with the New York Knicks, a person with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday.

Associated Press

Aug 4, 2021, 4:10 PM

Updated 995 days ago

Share:

Kemba Walker and the Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to a buyout of the final two years of his contract, and once that is completed the four-time All-Star guard will sign with the New York Knicks, a person with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday.
Walker - who was born in the Bronx - and the Thunder have been working on the buyout parameters in recent days, according to the person who spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal is not finalized.
Walker is owed nearly $74 million for the next two seasons, including a $37.6 million option that he held for 2022-23. He never played for the Thunder, who acquired him in a trade with Boston in June in the deal that sent Al Horford back to the Celtics.
After helping the Celtics reach the Eastern Conference finals in the NBA bubble in 2020, Walker was limited to 43 games because of injury this past season and was limited in Boston’s first-round playoff exit against Brooklyn.
Walker spent his first eight seasons in Charlotte where he became the franchise's all-time leading scorer. He spent the last two seasons in Boston.
Going to the Knicks won’t just be a return home for Walker.
It’ll also be a chance to play more games at an arena that has provided some of his finest moments.
He won a national championship as a junior at UConn in 2011, concluding the season on an 11-game winning streak that began when the Huskies won five games in five days on the way to the Big East tournament championship at Madison Square Garden - the Knicks’ home. Walker averaged 26 points while playing nearly every minute of those five games to win the league, then went on to win the Most Outstanding Player award in the NCAA Final Four as UConn beat Butler for the national title.
In 15 games at the Garden as a pro, Walker has averaged 21.3 points.
Walker even played at MSG in high school against a team from Illinois that was headlined by Derrick Rose. Walker had 14 points, Rose 22, but Walker’s team from New York power Rice beat Rose’s Simeon High 53-51.
And now, the two point guards will be together at the Garden as Knicks teammates.


More from News 12
2:15
SUV crashes through Dunkin' in Old Bridge

SUV crashes through Dunkin' in Old Bridge

1:47
Cold start ahead of a beautiful, sunny afternoon for New Jersey

Cold start ahead of a beautiful, sunny afternoon for New Jersey

2:17
South Brunswick implements plan to prevent fatal crashes

South Brunswick implements plan to prevent fatal crashes

0:42
Police: 3 women accused of stealing nearly $600 worth of merchandise from Target

Police: 3 women accused of stealing nearly $600 worth of merchandise from Target

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:28
Former Carteret middle school teacher accused of sexually assaulting student

Former Carteret middle school teacher accused of sexually assaulting student

2:28
Main Street New Jersey: Showcasing the best of North Brunswick

Main Street New Jersey: Showcasing the best of North Brunswick

0:42
Former NJ national guardsman who set off large FBI manhunt pleads guilty to capitol riot charges

Former NJ national guardsman who set off large FBI manhunt pleads guilty to capitol riot charges

0:33
Somerville man indicted in murder of high school classmate

Somerville man indicted in murder of high school classmate

0:27
Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

2:09
Paws & Pals: Bogey now up for adoption with JerseyGirls Animal Rescue

Paws & Pals: Bogey now up for adoption with JerseyGirls Animal Rescue

1:37
Guide: How to dispose of prescription medicines in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York

Guide: How to dispose of prescription medicines in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York

0:23
New York Giants add explosive receiving threat, taking Malik Nabers of LSU at No. 6 in NFL draft

New York Giants add explosive receiving threat, taking Malik Nabers of LSU at No. 6 in NFL draft

0:17
Jets trade down a spot, take Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu at No. 11 in NFL draft

Jets trade down a spot, take Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu at No. 11 in NFL draft

2:34
KIYC: NJ mayors call for tougher penalties for young criminals, but are juvenile crime stats increasing?

KIYC: NJ mayors call for tougher penalties for young criminals, but are juvenile crime stats increasing?

2:34
Airlines now required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled, delayed flights

Airlines now required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled, delayed flights

1:00
The East End: McCall Wines in Cutchogue

The East End: McCall Wines in Cutchogue

10:25
Gov. Murphy answers viewers questions on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’ program - April 25, 2024

Gov. Murphy answers viewers questions on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’ program - April 25, 2024

Gusts of activity underway by friends and foes of offshore wind energy projects

Gusts of activity underway by friends and foes of offshore wind energy projects

0:39
Jersey Proud: US Coast Guard lands helicopter at school for career day

Jersey Proud: US Coast Guard lands helicopter at school for career day