This Knicks-Nuggets Trade Features Kemba Walker To Denver

Kemba Walker, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks
NBA Analysis Network

New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau made a big roster decision on Monday as he told reporters that he was removing former NBA All-Star point guard Kemba Walker from not only the starting lineup, but from the team’s entire rotation as a whole. 

Walker signed a two-year, roughly $18M deal with New York in the offseason to be their starting point guard, but things have not worked out early on in the year for the Knicks. They find themselves 11-9 and really struggling to get back to where they were defensively a year ago. 

Plus, Walker’s production really has been nonexistent at times, as he has scored in double-figures just three times in his last eleven games. “It’s a tough decision to make, but you always have to do what you think is best for the team,” Thibodeau told reporters on Monday. 

“I view Kemba as a starter, and so it’d be tough to play three small guards together. I gave it consideration, and I’ve got great respect for who Kemba is as a person and all he’s accomplished in this league. But I have to do what I think is best for the team.”

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Knicks Expected To Trade Kemba Walker Ahead Of Deadline

Now 11-year veteran Alec Burks is slated to enter the starting-unit for the Knicks and will start in-place of Kemba Walker starting Tuesday night against the Brooklyn Nets. Burks has outplayed Walker off-the-bench, averaging 15.3 points per game and shooting 45.2% from the floor over his last six games, so it makes sense for the Knicks to want to try something new. 

Kemba Walker is averaging career-lows in points (11.7), rebounds (2.6), assists (3.1), field goals attempted per game (9.8) and has only played close to 25 minutes per game this season. While he is shooting 42.9% from the floor and 41.3% from three-point range, Walker just does not look like his old All-Star self in New York, hence why Derrick Rose, Immanuel Quickley and Alec Burks have bumped him down in the rotation. 

There are no indications on what the future holds for Kemba Walker at this time and if he will remain in New York, but if this team begins to find success without him on the court, he may not last very long with the Knicks. 

The trade deadline is silently approaching and while there is still a lot of time between now and February 10, teams could begin to inquire about whether or not Kemba Walker is available via trade. One of those teams could very well be the Denver Nuggets.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Knicks Expected To Trade Kemba Walker Ahead Of Deadline

Jamal Murray is going to be out until sometime closer to the playoffs as he works his way back from an ACL injury suffered at the end of last season, Michael Porter Jr. is now done for the year with a back injury and P.J. Dozier recently went down with an ACL injury, ending his season prematurely. 

As long as they have Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets are still going to be a threat to win games in the Western Conference, but is this team truly a contender given all of their injuries? The simple answer is no and while going after Kemba Walker may not make them a contender again, he is definitely an experienced player that could help them in a variety of ways. 

Let’s take a look at how the Denver Nuggets could possibly make this trade work and discuss whether or not New York would even be interested in giving up on the former All-Star point guard after just a few months. 

DiVincenzo’s 31 Points Lead Knicks to 105-93 Victory Over Nets

In a spirited New York rivalry clash, the Knicks emerged victorious against the Brooklyn Nets with a score of 105-93 during Saturday’s NBA action, showcasing

Warriors Young Player Emerging as Possible Trade Candidate

Moses Moody‘s challenge in securing a consistent position within the Golden State Warriors lineup, despite the team’s preference for NBA championship-proven veterans, has raised some

Victor Wembanyama Breaks Silence on Spurs’ Roster Plans

On Thursday, Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs’ franchise cornerstone, shared his harmonious alignment with the team’s management regarding their vision for the future with