New York Knicks: Kemba Walker’s path to a full-time role is now clear

There’s a path to a full-time role with the New York Knicks for Kemba Walker. 

To say that the New York Knicks have had an underwhelming first half of the season would be an understatement. At 14-17, the Knicks are 12th in the Eastern Conference and while they aren’t entirely out of the playoff chase, they have some ground to make up.

Though, they’re going to have to do so without Derrick Rose who after undergoing surgery is set to be sidelined for 6-8 weeks. As the Knicks – and the rest of the league for that matter – battle through a new COVID-19 variant, they’re also going to have to figure out how to make a move up the East standings without one of their most consistent players.

New York is going to need another guard to step up and one natural candidate is Kemba Walker.

With Rose out for what could be the next two months, the path is now clear to get back in the good graces of Thibs – that entails helping the Knicks stay somewhat afloat as they fight through the next few weeks without their most consistent point guard on the roster.

I’m not exactly sure if that means helping the Knicks move up the standings in the East or if that entails just remaining within shouting distance of one of the top 8 seeds, but Kemba will have to prove that he can be a winning player for the team.

Here’s the key with Kemba; it’s not just statistically. Just looking at the counting stats, there’s no reason why you wouldn’t play Kemba even if just a reserved role.

Though, it’s the other intangible areas of his game that he’s struggled with this season – including his defensive numbers.

But Kemba will have an opportunity to rebuild some of that reputation with the Knicks. If there’s any time for him to prove that he deserves a full-time role in the rotation again, this is when it will come.

During his two games since returning into the rotation for the Knicks, in large part due to missing players because of health and safety protocols, Kemba has averaged 25 points, seven rebounds, and four assists on 40 percent shooting from 3-point range.

New York is 1-1 in those games. If he can play that brand of basketball and the Knicks can start winning at a higher rate than they lose, there’s no question the team will have no other option than to reinsert Kemba into the rotation full-time.