NBA Rumors: All-Star Guard May Not Return Until February; Rockets Loom As Destination

KEY POINTS

Kemba Walker may have to wait until the February trade deadline to play again
The Knicks are linked to potentially acquiring Eric Gordon from the Rockets
Walker is making the most out of his unusual role

Kemba Walker continues to be benched in New York with pundits awaiting a trade to happen.

But with little to no interest in the four-time All-Star, it appears the best Walker can do is patiently wait.

Walker was removed from the Knicks’ rotation this past November, with head coach Tom Thibodeau turning to Alec Burks instead.

It was a surprise move that caught the attention of many as New York was trying to find ways to get going.

Unfortunately, the move has not helped the Knicks. It even placed them in a dire predicament.

Before the change, the Knicks were 9-9 with Walker in the rotation.

Since the move, the Knicks have lost seven of their next nine games. They now tote a 13-16 win-loss card, placing them at the 12th spot in the Eastern Conference.

Walker signed a two-year $17.9 million deal with the Knicks in the offseason with hopes of following a promising last season. That has not happened so far, and now it appears bridges have been burned.

Hence, a trade is anticipated, but nothing has come close to happening.

Based on recent updates, the lack of interest in Walker hints that it may take some time before the No. 9 overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft may be seen back on the basketball court, Matt Moore of the Action Network reported.

Despite his current status, Walker remains supportive of his predicament.

Even with his floating status, the All-Star guard admitted he loves being around his teammates and cheers for them even if he is on the bench.

"I could be pissed, but at the end of the day, there are some young guys here who look up to me. Maybe I can be a role model. I love being around my teammates, and I'm going to cheer them on until I can't anymore," Walker stated to reporters last week.

The Knicks are doing their part to explore trade options to bolster their lineup. One team that has been mentioned is the Houston Rockets with Eric Gordon said to be a target.

The 33-year-old guard is expected to pique the interest of several teams considering he does not appear to be a fit for the Rockets' youth-movement plans.

Gordon could be on the move by the NBA trade deadline on February 10 with the Knicks among those keeping tabs.