It seems former Boston Celtics star point guard Kemba Walker is headed back home to his native New York after being bought out by the Oklahoma City Thunder, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The former UConn standout had been dealt by the Celtics to Oklahoma City at the start of the 2021 offseason for Boston, new team president Brad Stevens’ first major move of his tenure in that role. The Celtics had decided to move on from the New Yorker after his large cap hit did not line up with his availability last season, with Walker needing much time to rest an often balky knee.
While there had been rumbles of a potential trade to either of the Los Angeles teams, it seems concerns over his knee or perhaps cheaper options led to nothing of that sort arising, the buyout a means of signaling to potential free agents in the near-term future that the front office treats their players right.
Four-time All-Star guard Kemba Walker has agreed to a contract buyout with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and upon clearing waivers, plans to sign with the New York Knicks, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 4, 2021
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Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reports Walker will join the Knicks on a deal worth about $8 million per season.
For Boston, it suggests the team was right to move off of the former Husky despite those who wondered if the Celtics might have pulled the trigger too soon on a trade.
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
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