NBA News: Kemba Walker Will Wait Until Summer To Find Out Next Stop

KEY POINTS

Kemba Walker won’t give up big money to join a team for a meager salary
The Knicks are expected to turn to Derrick Rose with Walker sitting out the rest of the season
Walker is hoping to hook up with another team where he can be more productive

Kemba Walker hardly drew attention from teams during the last NBA trade deadline, and it appears he will just have to wait until the 2021-22 season is over.

The 31-year-old guard and the Knicks have reportedly agreed for Walker to sit out the rest of the season.

This is likely a move to preserve him in the offseason where he is expected to be the subject of trade talk anew, ESPN reported.

"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," Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose stated in an official release.

This means that Walker will be the second All-Star guard who will have to watch from the sidelines for the rest of the season.

John Wall of the Houston Rockets, another high-profile guard, remains with his current team although there was talk that he was part of a potential trade involving Russell Westbrook and the Lakers.

Compared to Wall, however, Walker was able to play some games this season.

The 6-foot guard played in 37 games with the Knicks this season, averaging 11.6 points, 3.5 assists, and three rebounds in 25.6 minutes of action.

These numbers were a far cry from his career averages of 19.5 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.8 rebounds.

An alternative would have been a contract buyout between Walker and the Knicks.

Unfortunately, this was something that the No. 9 overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft was not amenable to, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported.

"There are a number of teams who would love to have Kemba Walker in a buyout," Wojnarowski stated. "That's not gonna happen. He's not interested in that with New York."

The ESPN scribe added that Walker preferred to prepare for the 2022-23 season than give up big money and join an NBA team that could compete for a title.

With Walker out, head coach Tom Thibodeau is expected to turn to Derrick Rose, who is expected to return to action soon.