The New York Knicks are currently in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 11-9. While they have a winning record, the team has some areas that they could use some improvement in, specifically in the starting five. Their attempt to do so made headlines around the NBA on Monday.
New York’s starting five of Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson has the most minutes of any five-man group in the NBA this season but the results have been disastrous. They have an abysmal net rating and all have negative plus/minus ratios, compared to the bench unit which is among the best in the league.
Looking to shake things up and make some changes, head coach Tom Thibodeau revealed that Walker will be removed from the rotation for the time being. Alec Burks will be taking over as the starting point guard for the Knicks going forward in a major change.
Walker’s signing was one many people get excited about but has not panned out as hoped. He has struggled defensively and does not have the same burst to consistently get into the paint to cause havoc for opposing defenses.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kemba Walker Out Of New York Knicks’ Rotation — Is He Done?
Walker has the worst plus/minus ratio of any player on the Knicks and the next closest, Randle and Robinson, are 56 points clear of Walker’s -122. While this couldn’t have been an easy decision to make, it is likely the right one for the Knicks.
With Walker’s removal from the rotation, there will be some trickle-down effects and fallout. Here are four of the biggest takeaways for the Knicks with Burks stepping into the starting point guard role and Walker coming out of the rotation.
