The New York Knicks have two max-contracts available, the issue is, the superstar options are dwindling as the Brooklyn Nets have emerged as favorites in the Big Apple. It seems as if $73 million in open cap isn’t enough to lure high profile players anymore — winning is the priority, which at the end of the day is a good thing for the NBA.
With Kyrie Irving planning to take his talents to Brooklyn, the point guard market is down one elite talent for the Knicks. There’s more bad news, though, as Charlotte Hornet’s star Kemba Walker has reportedly ruled out a comeback to his native city.
Source close to the #NBAFreeAgency of #Mavs target Kemba Walker of the #Hornets, a New York native to me: 'He has no interest in going back to New York.' pic.twitter.com/3xnxSGY12R
— fishsports ? (@fishsports) June 25, 2019
For the first time in his career, Walker will be an unrestricted free agent. That rules out two points guards for a franchise in need of a truly elite player to lead their youth to the promised land. The hopes of signing Kevin Durant remain alive, but rumors have emerged that he’s keen on playing alongside Irving. The former Celtic going to the Nets doesn’t bode well for the Knicks in their hunt to land Durant.
In 2018, cardiac Kemba averaged 25.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game while shooting 43.4 percent from the field. He also landed 35.6 percent of three-pointers and shot 84.4 percent from the free-throw line.
All elite statistics for a point guard in the NBA — the Hornets have a solid shot of returning their best player. They have enough cap to resign him for the long-haul, putting the Knicks in a position where D’Angelo Russell could be the best option available.
All offseason the Knicks looked like the front-runners to land both Kyrie and Durant, but their obvious youth and lack of experience has become a concern for veteran players looking to win now.