Every NBA team’s biggest question mark for the 2021-22 season

New York Knicks: What does Kemba Walker have left?

It’s easy to wonder whether or not Julius Randle can repeat last year’s heroics, but in many ways, his ability to do just that will be influenced by what Kemba Walker can give his new team. If the former UConn star can find new life in the Big Apple it could power New York to homecourt advantage in the Eastern Conference.

Walker’s checkered injury history makes that a pretty big if. At his best, he’s one of the slickest pick-and-roll operators in the Association. That should give Randle better looks than he procured via isolation last season.

If Walker is hampered by injury he can quickly become unplayable due to his defensive inadequacies. He’s a small guy who struggles to guard powerful point guards even when he’s at his best. Take away a stop of his quickness and any amount of force he can play with and he turns into a defensive turnstile.

The Knicks can be a competent team without getting major contributions from Walker, but he’s their best chance to turn into a legitimate Eastern Conference title contender. The odds are stacked against him being that good for New York, but it was an offseason swing worth taking by the Knicks’ front office.