kemba walker

How the Knicks replaced Elfrid Payton’s minutes in genius fashion

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knicks, kemba walker

The New York Knicks had several goals this off-season, but none were bigger than upgrading the point guard position. After selecting Miles McBride out of West Virginia with the 36th overall selection in the 2021 NBA draft, the front office looked forward to free agency to find veteran leadership.

One of their first moves after free agency commenced on Monday evening was to bring back point guard Derrick Rose. The veteran is preparing to turn 33-years-old in two months but was one of the more impactful players for the Knicks last season.

Upon his acquisition, head coach Tom Thibodeau played Rose 26.8 minutes per game on average. He scored 14.9 points, 4.2 assists, and shot nearly 49% from the field. He also hit a career-high 41% from three.

Rose acted as a pure floor general, spreading the ball and leading the offense with vision and efficiency. However, his presence wasn’t enough for the front office; they wanted a bigger name who could share minutes and mitigate fatigue over the course of a long campaign.

In addition to Derrick, they targeted former Boston Celtics PG Kemba Walker. Walker finalized a buyout from the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday and immediately joined the ranks in New York, looking to revive his career in his hometown. As a Bronx native, Walker is 31-years-old and played in 43 games last year before injury got the best of him.

Walker averaged 19.3 points, 4.9 assists, and shot 42% from the field. He is a high-clip three-point shooter as well, connecting on 36% over 8.2 attempts per game. However, the 2020-21 season represented one of his down years, considering he’s earned four All-Star appearances over the last five seasons.

During his most productive campaign in 2018, Walker averaged 25.6 points, 5.9 assists and shot 43.4% from the field over 82 games. His unique athleticism and burst gave him an edge over defenders, but his knees have taken a beating the last few seasons. The Knicks don’t want to rely on him as their primary option, so he will replace Elfrid Payton’s 23.6 minutes per game.

Payton was allowed to walk this off-season after a one-year, $5 million deal came to an end. He logged 10.1 points, 3.2 assists, and shot 43% from the field. He was borderline useless as a three-point shooter and was quickly replaced after the acquisition of Rose. The Knicks hoped he could provide some value during the postseason to help give Rose time to rest on the bench, but he simply couldn’t handle the load.

Fast forward to present day, and the Knicks have a point guard room consisting of Rose, Walker, McBride, and Luca Vildoza. Some might even categorize Immanuel Quickley as a PG, but he fits the role of a shooting guard moving forward.

The best part about the team’s moves is the contracts they handed out. Rose is essentially on a two-year, $20 million deal, as the third season is not guaranteed. Walker is set to earn just $8 million per year over two seasons, representing an absolute steal if he can remain healthy. Keep in mind, Walker is only one year moved from an All-Star appearance, and if he can return the form, the Knicks could find themselves pushing even further in the post-season next year.

Knicks: Leon Rose swings for the home run with Kemba Walker NY homecoming

by
New York Knicks, Julius Randle

Kemba Walker in New York is the first sign that the Knicks are starting to shed their “no man’s land” label.

It will be the first time since Amar’e Stoudemire in 2010 that an All-Star caliber player will be signing with the Knicks. Never mind if Walker is coming off a down year derailed by a knee injury. But consider this: an All-Star talent like him could have commanded several offers from playoff teams, but he chose the Knicks and gave them a hometown discount.

On one good knee, Walker still averaged 19.3 points and 4.9 assists in 43 games last season.

This summer, his focus is on getting back to full health and return to his All-Star form next season.

“I’m planning on a big summer and getting myself feeling good again. It’s been a while since I’ve really had time off,” he said after the Boston Celtics were eliminated in the playoffs last June. “This is an important time for me.”

A healthy and motivated Walker next season could be the difference-maker for the Knicks after their surprising playoff run ended in a gentleman sweep at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks. Walker is a massive upgrade from Elfrid Payton, giving Tom Thibodeau a bona fide playmaker and shotmaker that will command attention away from the team’s other All-Star and the league’s Most Improved Player, Julius Randle.

Walker is projected to join a supercharged starting unit alongside fellow newcomer and former Celtics teammate Evan Fournier with holdovers RJ Barrett, Randle, and Mitchell Robinson or Nerlens Noel at the middle.

The Bronx native who starred in Rice High School and nearby UConn in college is coming home to the Madison Square Garden, where he had his legendary Cardiac Kemba Shot.

More than his reputation as a big shot maker, Walker is also a great locker room presence and a leader who fits the culture the Knicks are building.

The Walker homecoming came out of the left-field. Leon Rose and the Knicks were ridiculed following a ho-hum start in the free agency after creating as much as $52.6 million in cap space this summer.

They started the free agency by re-signing Alec Burks (3-year, $30 million), Nerlens Noel (3-year, $32 million), and Derrick Rose (3-year, $43 million deal via Early Bird Rights). Then they upgraded the wing spot with Evan Fournier (4-year, $78 million) after Reggie Bullock departed for the Dallas Mavericks (3-year, $30.5 million).

Taj Gibson also agreed to return on a 1-year, veteran minimum deal ($2.7 million).

It turned out all the multi-year deals they doled out have team options in the final year, giving Knicks flexibility in 2023 free agency where Zion Williamson and Joel Embiid could be the potential crown jewels.

The Knicks have been sneakily good since Leon Rose came to power. The shrewdly executed trades in the NBA Draft have set them up for a banger of a summer.

They traded away their 19th pick to Charlotte for a future first-round pick, then traded back from 21st pick (from Mavericks via Kristaps Porzingis trade) to 25th pick for 3-and-D prospect Quentin Grimes — a move that saved them $2.7 million in cap space. Then they flipped the 32nd pick into the 34th (Miles McBride) and 36th pick (Rokas Jokubaitis) and took Texas Longhorn center Jericho Sims, a candidate to slide in one of their two-way player slots, with their 58th pick.

Here is the Knicks updated Depth Chart:

PG: Kemba Walker, Derrick Rose, Miles McBride

SG: Evan Fournier, Immanuel Quickley, Luca Vildoza

SF: RJ Barrett, Alec Burks, Quentin Grimes

PF: Julius Randle, Obi Toppin, Kevin Knox

C: Mitchell Robinson, Nerlens Noel, Taj Gibson

The Knicks accomplished three things with their savvy moves — continuity, flexibility, and respectability.

They are determined to prove that last year’s playoff run was no fluke and took some risks to upgrade the talent in their roster. Walker and Fournier should provide an offensive boost to a starting unit that heavily relied on Randle.

Based on their shooting percentages last season, Fournier is a significant upgrade over Bullock.

Meanwhile, the return of Rose and co. maintained the league’s fourth-best bench unit (37.6 points per game) last season, with Robinson and Noel anchoring their top-4 defense (107.8 defensive rating).

It took a while before the Knicks’ grand plan this summer all came together. And it started with a perfectly executed bunt in the Draft that allowed them to hit singles with Fournier, Rose, Burks, and Noel to cover all bases before swinging for the home run with Walker.

Well played, Leon.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

Knicks: 3 trades for established point guards, which would you choose?

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damian lillard, new york knicks

The New York Knicks are headed into a busy off-season that will likely include them finding a solution at the point guard position. Whether that solution involves Derrick Rose and a youth prospect is yet to be seen, but they have the draft capital and assets to trade for an established option. There are a few teams that could be willing to part ways with their current point guard.

Three names specifically come to mind as suitable choices for New York, but the asset allocation differs vastly, so they must consider that when bringing in alternative players. The more efficient method would be to spend in free agency instead of trading away assets, especially with a deep FA class.

Evaluating three trades, the Knicks could execute:

1.) The mammoth Damian Lillard trade

Of course, the blockbuster deal would inevitably include Damian Lillard, who is a bonafide superstar at 31 years old. Last season, he averaged 28.8 points, 7.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and shot 45% from the field. For a high-volume shooter, attempting 10.5 shots from three per game, he averaged 39%, which is a mind-blowing success rate.

Acquiring Lillard to pair with Julius Randle would be a dream come true, but the Knicks would have to give up the farm in the process, which is something they should think long and hard about before pulling the trigger.

Portland would want a massive haul in return, which would likely include draft picks and young talent to work around. In this scenario, the Knicks would 100% percent have to part ways with RJ Barrett, who, in my opinion, should be off-limits.

-3 first-round picks

-RJ Barrett

-Mitchell Robinson

-Kevin Knox

2.) The efficient Collin Sexton trade

The second trade that could be intriguing for New York is the acquisition of Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Collin Sexton. Reports have bubbled to the surface recently that Sexton could be on his way out of Cleveland, especially with the emergence of Darius Garland.

Sexton is only 22 years old and averaged 24 points this past season, shooting 47% from the field and 37% from downtown. Ultimately, if the Knicks are looking for a scoring point guard who can be a consistent threat driving to the rim and as a shooter, Sexton makes a ton of sense, but he offers little in terms of defense. There will be plenty of teams requesting a price tag for Sexton, and the Knicks luckily have plenty of assets to throw Cleveland’s way in this scenario. He also wouldn’t cost an exorbitant amount, compared to Lillard.

-2021 first-round picks

-Kevin Knox

3.) Cardiac Kemba trade

The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Kemba Walker from the Boston Celtics this off-season, and they could execute a flip and trade. Walker has traditionally been one of the best point guards in the NBA but has suffered from injuries the past few seasons.

Walker hasn’t played over 56 games in three years but is only one year removed from being an All-Star in four consecutive campaigns. He regularly averages over 20 points per game and is a solid facilitator but struggled from range this past season, shooting 36% over 8.2 attempts per contest. If he’s healthy, he’s capable of leading an offense admirably, but his contract is quite lofty for a team that might not value him as a consistent option due to his health history. He is set to make $36 million next season with a player option during the 2022-23 season.

Guaranteeing him for just one year might be a questionable move, especially if Oklahoma is demanding solid value in return. Walker is one player I would steer clear of based on the nature of his contract and bill of health.

-2021 first-round picks

-Kevin Knox

Out of these three options, which trade would you execute if you were the Knicks (if any)? Comment below!

2 players the Knicks must stay far away from in free agency

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knicks, kemba walker

The New York Knicks are heading into free agency with a full head of steam, strapped with draft capital and funds to be allocated appropriately. However, spending aimlessly should not be a strategy for the front office, but rather bolstering with specific players who can benefit the team long-term should be in mind, but there are a few options to avoid for a myriad of reasons.

Two players the Knicks shouldn’t consider in free agency:

1.) Kemba Walker

The point guard market is projected to be littered with talent this upcoming August, but one option the Knicks should steer clear of is Kemba Walker. Walker is expected to be traded from the Thunder in a trade and flip move. Considering he’s entering the third year of a four-year, $141 million deal, parting ways with capital to acquire a player who played in just 43 games this past season might be seen as negligence.

When Kemba is playing at the top of his game, there’s no question he’s one of the best PGs in basketball, but he hasn’t played over 56 games in two seasons, and as he prepares to turn 32 years old next year, taking a flyer on him could backfire.

In addition, unless Oklahoma is willing to give him away at cost, the Knicks would benefit from avoiding a contract with just one year remaining until a play-option kicks in.

The former Celtic averaged nearly 20 points last year, including 4.9 assists, and shot 42% from the field. He’s not the most efficient three-point shooter, hitting on just 36% over 8.2 attempts, but for a volume shooter, his clip is adequate. He missed the All-Star game for the first time in five years, indicating a less than adequate season in context with his quality. At $36 million next year, New York could look to an alternative like Lonzo Ball for cheaper and commit long-term to develop him into their focal point.

2.) Victor Oladipo

The second player the Knicks should avoid is Victor Oladipo, who could be an enticing option if not for missing the majority of the last three seasons. He hasn’t played over 36 games since 2017 when he made an All-Star appearance with the Indiana Pacers.

At 29 years old, Oladipo is an adequate scorer, averaging nearly 20 points per game, 4.6 assists, and shooting about 41% over 33 games this past season. However, his injury history is troubled, presenting a warning sign for any team that is willing to give him another opportunity.

Considering he is coming off a four-year, $85 million deal unless he’s willing to settle for significantly less this upcoming season, New York should keep their eyes focused on healthier options. They say the best ability is availability.

Knicks news, 6/19: Zion Williamson, Kemba Walker, Luca Doncic enter the realm of ‘possible’

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Zion Williamson, knicks

August is going to be an extremely exciting and entertaining month for the New York Knicks as they look to bolster their team with plenty of resources to capitalize on. With upwards of $60+ million available in funds, they can target the cream of the crop in free agency, but there’s also a chance they consider executing a trade for a bonafide star.

Of course, using their available money and retaining their draft capital would be the most efficient move, but there are some players who have entered the realm of ‘possible’ recently with rumors indicating their displeasure and the overturning of front offices.

The New York Knicks enter the realm of “possibility:”

Zion Williamson:

Even before Williamson was drafted in 2019, he was heavily connected to New York. Unfortunately, he ended up in New Orleans with the Pelicans, where he has become one of the best players in basketball. However, according to The Athletic,” Zion Williamson and his family” are not entirely content with New Orleans’ management.

Even Williamson himself hopes that the Knicks would land him with the No. 1 overall pick, so there is undying interest between the two sides. Of course, the Pelicans would have to agree to part ways with a player going into his third season who averaged 27 points this past year on .611 shooting from the field. This is probably the most unlikely of the three scenarios presented, not that any of them have true grounds to stand on just yet.

Kemba Walker:

The most likely player out of the three to land with the Knicks is Kemba Walker, who was traded on Friday to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a blockbuster deal. The Boston Celtics were looking to rid themselves of Kemba and his contract, as he is set to earn $36 million next season and has a player option for the 2022-23 campaign.

Kemba is one of the premier point guards in the NBA, but he has struggled to stay healthy the past two seasons, missing out on the All-Star game in 2021. When at the peak of his game, though, Walker is undoubtedly an elusive PG who can run an offense at an elite level.

The Knicks will have to part ways with their first-round selections to acquire him from Oklahoma, just to take on his massive contract coming off an injury-riddled season where he played just 43 games (traditionally a Knicks move). The only way this occurs, in my opinion, is if Kemba is willing to restructure his contract considerably. At 31 years old, the Knicks will likely consider sticking on the younger side and going after Lonzo Ball alternatively.

Luca Doncic:

Another shot in the dark, the Dallas Mavericks turned over their entire front office this week, as they fired their general manager and watch their stoic head coach Rick Carlisle walk with two years left on his contract.

There is a slight possibility that Luka Doncic, one of the rising stars in the NBA, decides to force his way out of Dallas with the most recent transgressions going down.

In that case, the Knicks could look to unload the farm for Doncic, who would represent a shift in culture for New York. Doncic is currently eligible for a rookie Supermax extension, which constitutes five years and $201 million. It would be very difficult for him to turn that down and force his way out, but they are pictures of him in a Knicks jersey growing up, so there could be a clear-cut connection.

Should Knicks look to Oklahoma City for Kemba Walker trade and flip?

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knicks, kemba walker

The New York Knicks will seemingly have a bevy of point guards to consider this off-season, whether it be through trade or a free agent signing. Options like Damian Lillard would require the Knicks to part ways with significant draft capital and resources, but signing a free agent would be a monetary fix, which might be the best option.

However, another star point guard has become available through means of trade, and his name is Kemba Walker. The Boston Celtics traded Walker on Friday morning, the No. 16 overall pick in the 2021 draft and a 2025 2nd-round draft pick to Oklahoma City for Al Horford, Moses Brown, and the 2023 2nd-round pick, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

This is a blockbuster trade, as the Celtics were looking to move Walker and his contract elsewhere to free up a bit of money this off-season. The likelihood is that Oklahoma deals Walker in a trade and flip scenario, similar to what they did with Chris Paul in the past.

This would enable them to add even more draft capital as they commence a rebuild with youth. Walker is still owed $36 million for the 2021-22 season and has a player option for $37.6 million a year after that.

The Knicks are desperately looking for a long-term solution at point guard, and the 6-foot, 184-pound PG could offer them just that. At 30 years old, Walker is coming off a down season, despite averaging 19.3 points, 4.9 assists, and shooting .420 from the field. Previous to his most recent campaign, Walker had earned four consecutive All-Star appearances and is more than capable of leading a team.

Kemba is also an adequate three-point shooter, hitting on .381% of his shots on 8.4 attempts during the 2019–20 season. The Knicks seem to be elevating players, and pairing him with Julius Randle could be a perfect fit, but there’s still the possibility they go in a different direction, as they desire to keep their draft selections.

However, it is never a bad thing to have options, and Walker, with his contract, represents an opportunity for Oklahoma City to benefit. The Knicks have the draft capital to construct a deal, and now it’s just a matter of the front office deciding on a path. Kemba does have a sketchy past with injures, having played only 43 games last year, so there’s reason to believe the front-office might want nothing to do with him and his price-tag.

Do you think the Knicks should consider Kemba Walker as an option this off-season? Comment below!

New York Knicks catch big break against Boston Celtics in Wednesday’s matchup

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New York Knicks, Julius Randle

The New York Knicks face off against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday evening, coming off a difficult loss against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. Losing by just two points to Brooklyn, the Knicks desperately needed a win over a playoff-bound team, but once again, they force-fed the ball to Julius Randle in the final moments, who missed another shot to give the Knicks a chance at victory.

Despite the loss, Randle finished with 19 points, and second-year guard RJ Barrett earned 22. Barrett has experienced solid development this season at 20 years old and was red-hot shooting in the fourth quarter despite Julius earning the final shot of the contest.

The New York Knicks need to win against the Celtics:

Against Boston, another team who is contending for a playoff spot, the Knicks should have an easier time. It has been reported that starting point guard Kemba Walker will sit against New York, giving them a bit more flexibility with their defensive matchups. New York is currently just .5 games behind Boston, who will take on the 76ers on Tuesday.

Coming off back-to-back games, Boston could be dealing with a bit of fatigue, which is why they are sitting Walker. The star point guard is averaging 17.9 points this season at 30 years old, his lowest since 2014 with the Bobcats. In fact, this is the first time in five years he missed out on the All-Star game.

Nonetheless, Boston will be a far easier opponent without Kemba on the court, and the Knicks must take advantage of this situation. They have an opportunity to overtake them in the standings, especially if they lose to the 76ers. Currently, New York is just one game below .500 and have struggled to close out games against competitive teams. Most recently, they blew a lead against the Minnesota Timberwolves, missing a last-second shot to win the contest.

A big victory over Boston and then subsequent matchups against the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors will offer them an opportunity at reconciliation.

 

Caris Levert Drops Career high 51 in Nets comeback win over Celtics

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Brooklyn Nets, Caris Levert

Through three-quarters last night, it seemed as though the Brooklyn Nets were headed for their 5th straight loss. Down 84-67 against the Celtics on the road headed into the 4th, this struggling Brooklyn squad needed a miracle. Insert Caris Levert.

Levert Brilliant in Nets Huge 4th quarter

The Nets, in dire need of a spark, were able to rally behind the stellar play of Caris Levert.  Levert became an assassin in the 4th quarter, dazzling and scoring at will against a tough Celtics defense.  Three-pointers, reverse layups, off-balanced one-footed jumpers, Levert couldn’t be stopped. The Nets put up a franchise-best 51 points in the 4th, the most the team has ever scored in any quarter in franchise history.  Levert was responsible for 26 of that 51, including 3 clutch free throws to tie the game with .02 seconds left.  In overtime, Caris scored all 11 of Brooklyn’s points, the most by any player in the past 20 seasons, and led the Nets to a spectacular 129-120 win over the Celtics.

The former Michigan star ended the game with a career-high 51 points on 17 of 26 from the field, 5 of 10 from 3-point land, 12-18 on free throws, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal in only 25 minutes of play. After the game, teammate Kevin Durant showed Levert some well-deserved love, tweeting “that 50 was beautiful Vert. Thank you for that masterpiece.”

The other unsung hero of this game was Chris Chiozza, who played 21 big minutes down the stretch and finished with 8 points, scoring some big buckets with Dinwiddie sidelined in the 4th for reasons unknown. Atkinson went with an interesting lineup in the 4th, playing Kurucs, Chiozza, Jordan, Levert, and Taurean Prince down the stretch.

Unfortunately, losing the game was the least of the Celtics concerns, as their players dropped like flies over the course of the night. Already playing without Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward suffered a right knee contusion shortly before halftime.  Jaylen Brown was seen grabbing his hamstring late in the game. And Kemba Walker, who wasn’t able to play in overtime since he was playing on a minutes restriction, didn’t look 100% in his first game back from injury. All 4 players may not travel to Cleveland tomorrow for the Celtics back to back.

The Nets will hope to carry this momentum at home tomorrow when Ja Morant and the Grizzlies come to town.

New York Knicks: Can Frank Ntilikina earn starting minutes next season?

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

Most fans have seemed to write off New York Knicks point guard Frank Ntilikina before the beginning of the 2019-20 season. The reality is, he’s been a lackluster scorer since entering the league two years ago. Averaging just 5.9 points per game in two seasons has thrust him to the bottom of the pecking order. He will likely start behind Dennis Smith Jr. and Elfrid Payton this season as he claws for playing time.

While Ntilikina has failed to produce for the Knicks in the NBA, he has been in menace for the French national team this FIBA World Cup. He played a key role in derailing the USA basketball team and their 58-game win streak. He dominated against NBA quality players and showed that he can compete at a level high enough to succeed in the pros.

Frank is known for his defensive quality while his offensive production is reduced. However, against the USA basketball team, he looked even better than stars like Kemba Walker and Donovan Mitchell. The 21-year-old swung the momentum towards France in the fourth quarter, playing incredible defense and hitting a buzzer-beating dagger with two minutes and 15 seconds left to play.

The interesting thing about The Frenchman is that his stat line never jumps off the page. He recorded 11 points and five of nine shooting with one rebound and three assists. But he was +22 for the game, the second-best mark of any player on the floor.

His impressive performance begs the question:

Can Ntilikina earn playing time for the New York Knicks during the regular season?

Slated behind Smith Jr. and Payton, it will be difficult for him to crack the roster and play serviceable minutes. Despite that reality, he is still an outstanding defender and can be used in that facet.

If he can continue to hound opposing guards and shoot and even average level from the field, he could be a valuable asset for the Knicks in today’s NBA. Acting as a glorified utility player and situational point guard, Frank can be an integral part of the team, but he must play with confidence and understand his strengths and weaknesses.

New York Knicks theoretically all in on Dennis Smith Jr.

by
New York Knicks, Dennis Smith Jr.

The New York Knicks had a chance, a slim chance, to bring in a superstar point guard to lead the team into the future. The organization struck out on every single one except for Elfrid Payton…jokes.

Whether or not the Knicks were serious about spending top dollar for a player like Kyrie Irving or Kemba Walker, the reality is, they don’t have a proven option at the point guard position, which can only mean one thing.

They’re completely confident that Dennis Smith Jr. can develop into a premier option at the position. Entering his third season in the NBA, averaging 14.5 points per game and 5 assists in his two years as a professional, Smith Jr. has the opportunity to take his game to the next level.

In fact, he’s been working all offseason to improve his perimeter shot, something he’s struggled with in the past, relying heavily on his elite athleticism to shine.

However, the expected starting PG for the Knicks stated, according to the NY Daily News:

“I think we can hit the playoffs. Everybody do a lot of talking and things like that,” he said, “I’ve never really been one to feed into it on social media and things like that. But I think we have a really good team, and especially with the way I’ve been working this summer, I think I’m going to take my game to the next level and it’s going to put us in the playoffs.”

Since this comment, the Knicks pried Marcus Morris, a bonafide starter in the league from the San Antonio Spurs on a one-year, $14.8 million deal.

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Morris improves the team instantly, and it increases the chanced of Smith’s dream coming true — a playoff berth. The $70 million in cap space the Knicks had this offseason was used to sign free agents on short contracts, which wasn’t a bad idea given the fact they missed out on every big-name possible.

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It’s clear they’re expecting to be more of an enticing destination once the youth on the team develops and proves it’s capable of winning games and making the playoffs. A good season in 2019-20 could prove to superstars looking to switch teams that the Knicks have a good thing going, and Dennis Smith Jr. could be a big part of that.