Knicks agree to sit Kemba for rest of season

The New York Knicks and guard Kemba Walker have agreed to shut down the four-time All-Star for the remainder of the season, team president Leon Rose announced Wednesday.

"We fully support Kemba's decision to shut it down for the remainder of the season and to use this time to prepare for next season," Rose said. "His long-term success on the court remains our priority."

Walker, who is under contract through the 2022-23 campaign, will spend the remainder of the Knicks' schedule working out. He struggled mightily this season, posting a career-worst 11.3 points per game and only scoring 10 or more points in two of the 13 games he played in 2022.

The former UConn star couldn't carve out a consistent role in head coach Tom Thibodeau's rotation. Walker was benched for 10 games in November, then eventually reinserted into the Knicks' starting five due to a lack of available players.

Charlotte selected Walker ninth overall in the 2011 draft. He played eight seasons for the Hornets before joining the Boston Celtics via a sign-and-trade agreement in 2019. The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired and waived him in 2021, which paved the way for him to sign in New York.

Following last season's playoff berth, the Knicks are 3 1/2 games out of the East's final play-in tournament spot with a 25-34 record.