Kemba Walker, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks. (Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports)
Kemba Walker is joining the New York Knicks after being bought out of his contract by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
While Kemba Walker‘s run with the Oklahoma City Thunder was short-lived, all that matters is he is heading to the New York Knicks, hoping to recapture some of that Madison Square Garden magic from his college days at UConn.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports the rebuilding Thunder are buying out the final two years and $74 million of his contract initially signed with the Boston Celtics. Walker spent the two previous years with the Celtics. Prior to that, he was a perennial All-Star for the Charlotte Hornets. For now, the New York native is coming home. Knicks fans have to be over the moon about Walker’s arrival.
Walker first made a name for himself at MSG, so it is only fitting that it is his new home court.
Kemba Walker joins the New York Knicks with MSG magic firmly on his mind
Walker played his high school ball at Rice in the city. During his junior year at UConn, he carried the Huskies to an improbable Big East championship run at Madison Square Garden. The Huskies earned a No. 3 seed in the 2011 NCAA Tournament and went on to win the national title, Jim Calhoun’s third and final in Storrs. It was at MSG where Walker first became a household name.
Though Walker is on the wrong side of 30, he provides a great upgrade at point guard for a Knicks team in dire need of getting better at the position. Given that he played in the same Atlantic Division as New York the last two years, he should be well-acquainted about what it will be like playing in Manhattan. This signing should keep the Knicks as one of the better teams in the East.
New York needed a star at point guard, and a native son in Walker is finally coming back home.