Kemba Walker Sets The Record Straight On Buyout Talk

With the New York Knicks shutting down Kemba Walker this week, several teams around the league had their radar up on the possibility of acquiring the veteran on a buyout. NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reports on Kemba's stance on a potential buyout:

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

The Knicks were honoring Walker's own wishes by agreeing that he should sit out the remainder of the season, and properly prepare himself to get ready for next season. “We fully support Kemba’s decision to shut it down,” team president Leon Rose said in the statement. 

The 31-year-old has played with soreness in his knees most of the year, and has played in just 37 of the Knicks' 59 games. 

By taking this route, and not taking a buyout to go play somewhere else, it could allow Walker to get healthier, and the Knicks to work out a trade this summer, as he'll be on an expiring $9M contract at that time. "There's a very good chance he's played his last game for the Knicks," says Wojnarowski.

Also, as he noted, Walker has already negotiated one buyout within the past year, with Oklahoma City, and he just wasn't interested in doing it again. 

The Knicks have struggled this season, falling far short of expectations after their run to a Top 4 finish in the East last year. New York sits 12th this season, at 25-34. 

Photo Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports