NY Knicks: 3 players who will benefit most from Kemba Walker signing

As this is being written, we’re mere hours away from the first game of the NY Knicks‘ Summer League beginning.

We’re finally going to get our first looks at Luca Vildoza (for those who didn’t watch him during the Summer Olympics) and the rookies that were drafted during the 2021 Draft.

I’m personally most excited to see Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride do their thing out there and show the world that the Knicks’ front office didn’t need to select anyone at picks 19 or 21.

We’re also going to get a chance to see how much improvement has been made by guys like Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley over the summer.

Ever since the Knicks extended Julius Randle, Obi Toppin’s future has been somewhat in question, so seeing that he’s made positive strides would be happily welcomed.

Who do you think benefits the most from Kemba Walker on the NY Knicks?

Other than that, the Knicks’ front office has been pretty busy as of late, re-signing some key players like Derrick Rose, Alec Burks, and Nerlens Noel.

The two biggest summer acquisitions were the signings of Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker.

Evan Fournier was brought in to replace the departing Reggie Bullock who the Knicks lost to the Mavericks in free agency.

Bullock is surely the superior defender, but what the Knicks lose is defense, they gain in someone who is just as good of a shooter, a 3-level scorer who can put the ball on the floor and create his own shot, and can make plays for his teammates by facilitating on offense.

After Day 1 of free agency, the biggest question on everyone’s mind was who the starting point guard would be to open the season (sound familiar?).

I think a lot of fans had the same idea in mind that while Derrick Rose was an integral part of the roster last year, he was best suited off the bench to start games and perhaps closing out games, but not as the team’s primary starter at the point.

By Day 3, our prayers were answered.

Kemba Walker had been bought out and intended on signing with the Knicks…the Bronx native was coming home!

Bringing in Kemba is huge within itself but there are 3 players I have in mind whom I think are going to benefit the most from the signing.

The connection Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker have is special

To no one’s surprise, the first player up on this list is none other than another Ex-Celtic in Evan Fournier.

Fournier and Walker didn’t have entirely that much time to play with one another as Kemba was nursing a knee injury for the majority of last season and Fournier was only acquired at the deadline but also spent some time away from the team as he was battling COVID.

But in total, the two players were on the floor together for 95 minutes last season, and what a magical 95 minutes they were.

In those 95 minutes, Walker and Fournier amassed a net rating of +30.8, the 2nd best net rating in the NBA of any two-man lineups.

These guys play really high-level basketball with one another and Kemba likes having that second playmaker out there on the court with him.

In an article from celticsblog.com, Celtics former head coach and now front office executive Brad Stevens had this to say:

"“He and Kemba really like playing with each other. That has a chance to have good chemistry,” Brad Stevens said. “We just haven’t seen that much yet. They’ve just played against each other for so long. They’re both intrigued by that as well.”"

In addition, Fournier said this about playing with Walker:

"“Kemba and I play well together because — I don’t know — maybe because we had the same coach in previous years. Maybe that’s the reason,” Fournier said of his instant connection with Walker. Walker played for Magic head coach Steven Clifford for five seasons in Charlotte; Fournier spent the last two and a half under “Cliff” playing arguably the best basketball of his career. “He’s the type of player that can really catch-and-shoot and play off each other. When I’m driving, I look for teammates, and sometimes he’s open, so I try and hit him.”"

And lastly, Kemba said this regarding Fournier:

"“He just knows how to play the game the right way, you know,” Walker said. “I’ve played against Evan for years now. He’s an incredible player. We just had an instant chemistry. He’s just fun to play with.”"

I’ll leave it at that, folks…just get excited for the synergy that will be on display this season between these two.

Julius Randle can learn a thing or two from Kemba Walker

Julius Randle would obviously benefit from the addition of an actual primary ballhandler, but one thing I think has gone a bit under the radar is the experience and leadership Kemba Walker brings, especially come playoff time.

It’s no surprise that Julius Randle crumbled in the postseason when he was tasked with leading a team in the playoffs while never being to the playoffs himself.

It’s also not a shocker that Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson were the best players on the court during the bulk of the series against Atlanta because the two of them had the most postseason experience on the team.

Kemba Walker is known for being a great locker room presence and leader, so taking some of that responsibility away from Julius will allow him to focus more on winning basketball games.

Kemba and Julius can be the vocal leaders of the starting lineup, while Derrick Rose can lead the charge of the 2nd unit.

Now, when it comes to the playoffs, the Knicks are adding a player in Walker who has played in 31 postseason games and made it as far as the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2019-20 season.

Kemba was by far and away the unquestioned best player and leader of the team he brought to the playoffs for 11 of those 31 games as well.

Needless to say, while Randle was a tremendous leader of last year’s team, he could have used some help and the front office got their best player and centerpiece just that.

Derrick Rose and Kemba Walker can lean on one another this season

I think the most obvious benefit for Derrick Rose is that he won’t have to start.

I think both Rose and Walker are best suited in the same exact role where they’re both leaders on offense but due to the risk of injury, should both be put on a minutes restriction.

I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if, by the end of the season, they both averaged 24 minutes per game apiece.

When one of them comes off the court, the other one comes on and no matter who’s playing, it’s a nightmare for the opposing defense.

In a lot of ways, their games resemble one another’s in a more mature manner.

Derrick Rose is a shell of his former self, as is Kemba…but Kemba was never as explosive as D-Rose in his prime.

But nonetheless, both guys like attacking the rim, making their teammates better with timely effective passing, and getting buckets by any means necessary.

I know both players can learn a thing or two from each other on the offensive side of the ball and just from a leadership perspective on the court.

Both players have high basketball IQs and should lean on each other throughout the season.