Kemba Walker’s New York homecoming has come to an end after just one season. The Knicks traded Walker to the Detroit Pistons on the night of the 2022 NBA Draft in a three-team trade that also included the Charlotte Hornets.

The trade was set in motion after the Knicks selected Ousmane Dieng with the No. 11 overall pick. They first sent Dieng to Oklahoma City Thunder for three future conditional first-rounders. Next, the New York team took one of those picks, which comes via the Denver Nuggets, and packaged it with four second-round selections to acquire Memphis’ center Jalen Duren, taken No. 13 overall, from the Charlotte Hornets. Finally, the Knicks shipped Duren and Walker to Detroit in exchange for top-four protected 2025 first-round pick via Milwaukee Bucks.

Walker signed with the Knicks back in August after agreeing to a contract buyout with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The four-time All-Star was expected to be a game-changer for the Knicks and help the franchise make a step forward in the playoffs. However, things turned south pretty quickly.

The 32-year-old mightily struggled in New York and was out of the rotation less than two months into the season. Walker returned after 10 games due to Knicks’ injury issues but only lasted until February before the two sides agreed he wouldn’t be part of the roster moving forward. He played 37 games in 2021-22 in total, averaging 11.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. All were career-lows for the UConn product.

Reportedly, Walker isn’t expected to suit up for the Pistons. So instead, the most likely route is a contract buyout that would let the veteran hit free agency and find another landing spot.

The post Knicks Send Kemba Walker to Pistons in a 3-Team Trade appeared first on SportzBonanza.

New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has made a rather surprising decision in attempts to get his team back on track. Speaking with reporters earlier this week, Thibodeau confirmed that All-Star guard Kemba Walker won’t be part of the Knicks’ rotation moving forward.

Walker had a promising start of 2021-22, but his numbers have significantly dropped as the season progressed. He particularly struggled with shooting in November, prompting Thibodeau to limit his minutes on the floor. When this didn’t help, Thibodeau opted to try an even more drastic approach.

“It’s a tough decision to make, but you always have to do what you think is best for the team,” Thibodeau said about the decision. “I view Kemba as a starter, and so it’d be tough to play three small guards together. I gave it consideration, and I’ve got great respect for who Kemba is as a person and all he’s accomplished in this league.”

With Walker out of the rotation, the Knicks will rely on journeyman Alec Burks as their starting point guard. They have veteran Derrick Rose as a backup.

Kemba Walker signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Knicks after being waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder in early August. It was a chance for Walker to start fresh with his hometown team, but things are not looking well at the moment. Before being removed from the rotation, the 31-year-old was averaging career-lows in points (11.7), rebounds (2.6), and assists (3.1).

Meanwhile, the Knicks find themselves barely holding onto a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They are seventh with an 11-9 record and sit just half a game in front of the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Boston Celtics.

The post All-Star Guard Kemba Walker Removed From Knicks’ Rotation appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Kemba Walker’s New York homecoming has come to an end after just one season. The Knicks traded Walker to the Detroit Pistons on the night of the 2022 NBA Draft in a three-team trade that also included the Charlotte Hornets.

The trade was set in motion after the Knicks selected Ousmane Dieng with the No. 11 overall pick. They first sent Dieng to Oklahoma City Thunder for three future conditional first-rounders. Next, the New York team took one of those picks, which comes via the Denver Nuggets, and packaged it with four second-round selections to acquire Memphis’ center Jalen Duren, taken No. 13 overall, from the Charlotte Hornets. Finally, the Knicks shipped Duren and Walker to Detroit in exchange for top-four protected 2025 first-round pick via Milwaukee Bucks.

Walker signed with the Knicks back in August after agreeing to a contract buyout with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The four-time All-Star was expected to be a game-changer for the Knicks and help the franchise make a step forward in the playoffs. However, things turned south pretty quickly.

The 32-year-old mightily struggled in New York and was out of the rotation less than two months into the season. Walker returned after 10 games due to Knicks’ injury issues but only lasted until February before the two sides agreed he wouldn’t be part of the roster moving forward. He played 37 games in 2021-22 in total, averaging 11.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. All were career-lows for the UConn product.

Reportedly, Walker isn’t expected to suit up for the Pistons. So instead, the most likely route is a contract buyout that would let the veteran hit free agency and find another landing spot.

The post Knicks Send Kemba Walker to Pistons in a 3-Team Trade appeared first on SportzBonanza.

New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has made a rather surprising decision in attempts to get his team back on track. Speaking with reporters earlier this week, Thibodeau confirmed that All-Star guard Kemba Walker won’t be part of the Knicks’ rotation moving forward.

Walker had a promising start of 2021-22, but his numbers have significantly dropped as the season progressed. He particularly struggled with shooting in November, prompting Thibodeau to limit his minutes on the floor. When this didn’t help, Thibodeau opted to try an even more drastic approach.

“It’s a tough decision to make, but you always have to do what you think is best for the team,” Thibodeau said about the decision. “I view Kemba as a starter, and so it’d be tough to play three small guards together. I gave it consideration, and I’ve got great respect for who Kemba is as a person and all he’s accomplished in this league.”

With Walker out of the rotation, the Knicks will rely on journeyman Alec Burks as their starting point guard. They have veteran Derrick Rose as a backup.

Kemba Walker signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Knicks after being waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder in early August. It was a chance for Walker to start fresh with his hometown team, but things are not looking well at the moment. Before being removed from the rotation, the 31-year-old was averaging career-lows in points (11.7), rebounds (2.6), and assists (3.1).

Meanwhile, the Knicks find themselves barely holding onto a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They are seventh with an 11-9 record and sit just half a game in front of the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Boston Celtics.

The post All-Star Guard Kemba Walker Removed From Knicks’ Rotation appeared first on SportzBonanza.