Knicks Rumors: Kemba Walker gave up $20 Million to come to NY

So they say nobody wants to play for the Knicks, huh?

Try telling that to Kemba Walker.

Now that the buyout from the Oklahoma City Thunder is complete, the details of said buyout are now public for the fans and media to gawk at.

Keith Smith of Spotrac broke down the numbers:

In essence, the Knicks just made Kemba whole again.

Knicks’ Kemba Walker gave up $20 million to play in NY

He’ll be enduring a $4 million loss over the next two seasons with the Knicks signing him to a 2-year, $16 million contract.

The second season has been reported to be a team option, so the loss on Kemba’s end may just be a little more painful if the second year of the contract is not realized.

Either way, $4 million is a relatively small price to pay for Kemba, as he gets to return home.

The Bronx native is a 4-time All-Star and can really help benefit the entire Knicks organization with his leadership on and off-the-court as well as improved point guard play.

Even if the Knicks get 75% of what Kemba once was, it’ll probably be the best point guard they’ve had in decades.

As we know, Kemba has always been a bucket-getter. He averaged nearly 26 points per game in his last season with Charlotte just 3 seasons ago.

I’d expect Walker and Derrick Rose to split the time at the point somewhat evenly to start the season, with Rose likely closing games out as Walker gets his legs under him.

Walker’s knee issues are nothing to scoff at, but it seemed that as last season progressed, the nagging injuries bothered him less and less, and his play on the court improved drastically.

Another example of Leon Rose turning lemons into lemonade, a low-risk high-reward signing by the super agent.