The Knicks are removing point guard Kemba Walker from both the starting lineup and their regular rotation, head coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters on Monday (Twitter link via Fred Katz of The Athletic).
It’s unclear whether the change will be a short-term or long-term move, but Thibodeau said Walker is out of the rotation “as of right now.” Alec Burks will take over as the team’s starting point guard for the foreseeable future, according to Thibs (Twitter link via Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News).
The Knicks’ signing of Walker to a two-year, $18MM deal in the offseason after he was bought out by Oklahoma City was viewed as one of the summer’s highest-upside deals. After all, Walker had been a maximum-salary player and wasn’t far removed from making four consecutive All-Star teams.
However, while Walker’s .413 3PT% to date is a career high, he has failed to recapture his All-Star form, averaging a modest 11.7 PPG and 3.1 APG in 18 games (24.5 MPG). The 31-year-old, who has battled knee issues in recent years, has had his minutes managed for health reasons and has been a liability on the defensive end.
The Knicks have a 116.3 defensive rating and a -13.3 net rating with Walker on the court, compared to a 99.0 defensive rating and +11.2 net rating when he sits. Kemba isn’t the only New York starter who has struggled and isn’t entirely to blame for those numbers, but given how well Burks has played this season, a change at point guard made sense for the club.
Having signed a new three-year, $30MM contract with the Knicks in the offseason, Burks has averaged 10.5 PPG on .426/.451/.800 shooting in 20 games (22.3 MPG) so far in 2021/22 and has been a more reliable presence on defense. The team has a +5.2 net rating in his minutes.
#FREE.OBI.TOPPIN
I agree he needs traded to a team that will use him.
He’s a focal point on the second unit. He’s being used effectively.
If NO offers Zion, the Pels can take their pick – Obi, Quick, a 1st rounder, couple of 2nds.
Lmao
Kyrie next year
Not a surprise. I would like to see Quickley eventually (but fairly soon) become the starting PG. He’s made huge strides in his PG skills and perspective, as well as his defense, since last season. He now can stay on the court even if he isn’t hitting his shot. 1-7 from 3 last game, but 7 assists and excellent defense.
Perhaps he isn’t quite ready without the training wheels, as he usually plays with either Rose or Burks or both. I think moving both Quickley and Burks to starting backcourt would, right now, improve the team (but it would mean Fournier goes to the bench, and that’s a bigger move in light of his contract and where he is in his career).
It’s about time – Walker is simply overrated. His defense is non-existent and PG skills lack in vision and passing. Next up – Fournier.
This is a bold move, nothing but respect for Coach Thibo. As for Kemba, go back to Charlotte??
Com’on Kemba cannot put a lot of work on his knees anymore … Hé will come back for the good if thé Knicks
Walker is another star Lakers need.
Rose was bust this off season, he should have signed 2 of 3,DDR/Ball/Dinwiddie, Knicks had enough money. Now it would be best for them to tank this season and develop young players. 2nd option is to trade for Wall, Walker+Furnier+ Rose/(Burks+Knox) are enough to match, getting in trade Nwaba/House would be +.
They didn’t want to go to the Knicks
Dinwiddie hasn’t exactly been lighting the world on fire, especially recently. Glad they didn’t sign him.
The Celtics knew that Kemba’s knee is never going to get better. The Knicks, by now, understand why the Cs didn’t try to re-sign Fournier.
Fournier is suited to come if the bench . Think they should play their young players more
As of now, its a good decision by Thibs. Fans and players trust him. And there is no need for Kemba trade ideas, he will be back
Finally! About time! I thought NYK would never realize that Kemba ain’t a starter in the league as of right now, it really was an odd & bad signing that everyone could see the train wreck coming, well, maybe except the Knicks, right?
Randle and Mitch are as much a problem as Kemba. What kills me is how stats are so meaningless sometimes. We all do understand that D rating is him plus the other 4 guys. RIGHT. You don’t know unless you watch. Kembas D is bad at times. And his offense is off cause Randle wants to handle the ball. It’s a bold move by Thibs. I get it. Plus Burkes is playing well. And Thibs loves big PGs.
That’s why Dinwiddie would of been so nice. You don’t watch Dinwiddie if you don’t like him with Knicks. Try watching him sometimes. Grimes and McBride are going to be solid guards. Wish they could play more. Quickley has also earned more mins. Just wish he was more a QB than he is.
Mitch and Randle both have underperformed so far. And Randle more than anyone takes the ball out of Kembas hands. Thibs has to get a grip on this. So this is a first move to wake them up. Most nights the second unit plays better than the 1st unit. Personally I see a trade coming.
Obi1 and Quickley have upped their value. With Sims Mitch is expendable. We got plenty of picks. I can see them going for another star. But Who ??
In Thibs we Trust ….
Dinwiddie plays both ways. He runs an offense and is a closer. Cause he knows how to manage a game. He did it with Nets. He’s the one who put Nets on KD and Kyrie map. He made them a good team. He’s better than Kemba and Rose. Love both those guys. But I take Dinwiddie every day.
Nets tmrw. We showing up in Bklyn . NYK
I’m starting to think you might be Dinwiddie’s homeboy or father the way you always bring him up. The again, you thought Kemba was going to be great as a Knick too.
A big problem I see and have been noticing is Randle. The ball movement suffers significantly when Randle gets his touches. Ball movement is great with the second unit, but with Randle it just sticks for way too long.
Perhaps Walker is the reason for Randle and Robinson underplaying. As for Walkers “D is bad at times,” he’s a walking matador on the court. And his court vision is horrible. There isn’t an open shot pass he’ll complete and a drive vs. three defenders he won’t challenge.
Yeah you watch …..
nothing more entertaining than a hater who doesn’t even watch gms. Unintelligent to the max. Walker has never drove on two players. He’s shooting .41% from THREE. And his eFG is .537%. Once again you prove how much you don’t know. “Clown Alert”
PadaBOOM ……. Clowns Himself
For the CLOWNS
The Stat. eFG% stands for Effective Field Goal Percentage. The statistic accounts for the fact that a three-point field goal is worth more than a two-point field goal, as described by basketball-reference. The formula is (FGM + 0.5 * 3PM) / FGA.Sep 17, 2012
Nah Broksi you’re the one who told me %s don’t matter when I told you ya homeboy Dinwiddie was an ass shooter
Watch every Knick game and will even attend a few outside of NY. Walker is horrible – almost as bad as your assessment. If you’re impressed with his percentages, then how come the 11 PPG in 24 minutes and triple digit negative plus/minus when he’s on the court.
You say in Thibs we trust, yet boast the player he’s not only removing from the lineup, but the rotation as well.
Which is it…clown?
Wheels ain’t what they used to be. A guard that relies on his quickness can’t be effective with bum knees. Why did the Knicks pay him that much money again? Wasn’t he waived? They could have paid him the minimum, no? Just adds insult to injury.
No. His contract isn’t a problem. He’s paid very little, basically the amount of $$ he gave up in the OKC buyout (pre-arranged with his agents), and it only runs this year and next. He never fit the FO’s profile, but, at that price, it was almost a no risk proposition.
Is it his wheels? IDK. He’s says the knees feel fine. Since the (real) problem is his defense, and he’s been a lousy defender his whole career, I might believe him. Either way, Knicks needed to do this.
One thing I know about Tibbs, If you stink, You’ll sit, No matter how much you make.
Not true. If that were the case Randle would be benched for Obi.