Knicks Rumors: Kemba Walker not interested in a Buyout

According to several reports recently, although The Knicks and Kemba Walker have mutually agreed to shut him down for the season, Kemba has shown no interest in accepting a buyout.

This is even with multiple teams having shown interest in bringing on the 11-year veteran, who is clearly a shell of his former self but could still make an impact off the bench for a contender.

Adrian Wojnarowski reported:

"The New York Knicks and guard Kemba Walker have agreed that the four-time All-Star will be sidelined for the remainder of the team’s schedule, allowing him to work out in preparation for the 2022-23 season, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.In a statement released by the team, Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose said: “We fully support Kemba’s decision to shut it down for the remainder of the season and use this time to prepare for next season. His long-term success on the court remains our priority.”Walker, 31, signed a two-year deal with the Knicks after an August buyout with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the partnership became fraught with starts and stops that ultimately led to the organization collaborating with his agents, Jeff Schwartz and Javon Phillips of Excel Sports, on a plan for Walker across the Knicks’ final 23 regular-season games."

Kemba Walker isn’t accepting a buyout from the Knicks

Now, Kemba’s decision to not accept a buyout is telling because the 31-year-old former All-Star seems to only have a few years left in the NBA.

His choice says that he’s more concerned with money than he is winning at this point in his career and I don’t think anyone can truly blame him.

The front office will take the time between now and the end of the season to work on finding a suitor for Kemba in the offseason

Kemba signed a 2-year, $18 million contract this past summer after previously being bought out by OKC.

A team may not be willing to trade any assets for Kemba at this point in his career but he could be an attractive contract for a team perhaps looking to shed some salary in the offseason or as a part of a bigger deal to help match money.

All in all, I truly wish the Kemba Walker to Knicks experience had ended on a happier note but I do wish him nothing but the best where ever he ends up.