Following the Thunder’s buyout, Kemba Walker has signed with the Knicks.
After being bought out by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, the Bronx native has decided to join the Knicks and form a point-guard combination with Derrick Rose, according to an NBA source.
Given Walker’s max contract — a four-year, $140 million agreement with the Hornets that has two years and $74 million left on it — there was no market for him.
It wasn’t immediately clear what Walker’s contract with the Knicks would be.
The 31-year-old’s play deteriorated this past season as his body broke down due to knee issues, and he only appeared in 43 of Boston’s 72 games. However, the Knicks believe Walker can still be an All-Star guard if his body is in good shape.
Walker, a four-time All-Star, showed flashes last season after the All-Star Break, averaging 20 points and five assists.
If Walker returns to All-Star form, the Knicks, who appear to have completed their offseason, have a good chance of maintaining their fourth-place standing.
At point guard, the Knicks replaced Elfrid Payton with Walker, while at shooting guard, Evan Fournier was replaced with Reggie Bullock.
The Thunder initially acquired Walker from the Celtics in June for the purpose of flipping him.Given Walker’s contract, there was no market for him, and the Knicks got lucky.