NBA News: Knicks To Shut Down Former All-Star; Offseason Trade Possible

The Kemba Walker show in New York City failed to live up to its potential, and now the marriage could be in its final stages according to Adrian Wojnarowski.

The well-known NBA insider reported that both Walker and the New York Knicks have agreed to shut down the dynamic combo guard for the rest of the season.

Leon Rose, the Knicks president of basketball operations, released an official statement on the matter: “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’s tenure with the Knicks can be best described as disappointing as he failed to live up to expectations after acquiring him on the waiver wire following his release from the Oklahoma City Thunder back in mid-August.

The 31-year-old from the Bronx was named to the starting five and was a decent contributor early on, but the lack of consistency and overall success on his end forced head coach Tim Thibodeau to move him to the bench in favor of Alec Burks.

Walker then had a 10-game stretch where he did not see the court, but injuries to both of their guard positions gave him an opportunity to regain his footing on the depth chart.

Knicks fans had hoped that Walker would respond to the challenge ahead of him and he surely stepped up to the plate after averaging 26 points, 8.3 rebounds, and seven assists over a four-game stretch, capping it off with a triple-double in a Christmas Day win over the Atlanta Hawks.

However, Walker’s ever-lingering knee soreness would ensure that he remains grounded and was shifted in and out of the starting lineup.

His last appearance for the Knicks would turn out to be in a loss against their cross-town rival Brooklyn Nets.¥, where he had nine points and three assists in 20 minutes of action.

Walker has proven that he can still be an effective scorer from time to time (evidenced by his 44-point explosion against the Washington Wizards), though his next team (whether it's with the Knicks or someone else) will need to convince him to play off the bench as his years as a starter are over.

A career resurgence is not impossible for someone with knee troubles (like Derrick Rose) and “Cardiac Kemba” certainly has the skills necessary to make himself a potential Sixth Man of the Year candidate very soon.

The Knicks, currently 12th in the Eastern Conference, return from the All-Star break against the Miami Heat on Friday, February 25.