CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 24: Kemba Walker #8 of the New York Knicks looks for a pass while under pressure from Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 24, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 95-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Bleacher Report believes Knicks should trade Kemba Walker for this Cavaliers forward
In case you forgot, Kemba Walker is still with the New York Knicks. Walker’s season was cut short at the end of February when he and New York decided that he’d be sidelined for the remainder of the year.
The 31-year-old guard is owed $9.2 million in 2022-23 before he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. It’s clear that both the Knicks and Walker have zero intention of him being on the roster next year, so that means that a trade will likely happen this summer.
Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz wrote a piece titled ‘Trades to Replace the NBA’s Most Disappointing Starters’ and in it, he proposed a Walker trade.
According to Swartz, New York should do a swap with Cleveland in exchange for forward Cedi Osman, who’s spent all five years of his NBA career with the Cavaliers.
Is a Kemba Walker-Cedi Osman swap a good option for the New York Knicks?
The 27-year-old played in 66 games for Cleveland this past year, including three starts, and averaged 10.7 points, 2.2 assists, and 2 rebounds. Osman shot 43.2% from the field and 35.7% from the 3-point line.
He signed a four-year, $30.8 million contract with the Cavaliers in May of 2019 and is owed $7.4 million in 2022-23, with the $6.7 million in 2023-24 being non-guaranteed.
Swartz wrote that a swap makes sense for both sides, especially because the Knicks won’t be able to get much in return for Walker. He wrote:
“The Knicks could use Osman for a year and then have financial control over him for the next season, choosing to keep him on at a reasonable rate or opt for the extra cap space.”
It wouldn’t be a bad option because Osman has proven that he can come off the bench and score, which is a plus. It’d be better than keeping Walker for another season and paying him to either not contribute and be away from the team or sit on the bench and not play.
Osman’s best season happened in 2018-19 when he started in 75 of the 76 games that he played in and averaged 13 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. His role has diminished since then. This past year, he racked up several DNPs.
Osman’s defense, or the lack thereof, is a concern, so while he’s a wing that can catch and shoot the ball, he doesn’t provide much on the other end of the court. Would Tom Thibodeau be able to bring out that part of Osman’s game?
Cleveland would be fine without Osman and could benefit from Walker’s veteran leadership, but New York doesn’t have too much of a need for Osman. His scoring would be welcomed, but how much would he play?
At the end of the day, it’s a trade worth exploring because like Swartz wrote, the Knicks can’t be too picky when it comes to Walker.
