No surprise here, two-time NBA All-Star Kemba Walker has been linked to more trade rumors this past season alone than many players will go through in their entire careers. It doesn't tell the entire story just going off of headlines for Walker however. The Charlotte Hornets guard's stats nearly equate out to those of five-time NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving with far less talent surrounding him on a nightly basis. To his defense, he's not the sole reason of his multiple reports of being shipped from the Charlotte Hornets, as his value comes at more of a risk than a reward currently.
Nicolas Batum, whom which he shares the floor with, possesses one of the most horrendous contracts in NBA history. At $22 million a year, Batum has become one of the most stalemate topics in trade rumors, as no team dares to enter serious talks without attaching the likes of Kemba to the deal to ensure quality talent in return for taking on Batum's salary. As no trade came to fruition and Walker survived the offseason, the time may come for the Hornets to look towards dealing the guard when the trade deadline draws closer. Walker is in the final season of his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent in June 2019.
He's often maintained that he has no real desire to test too far into the free agency waters, as he stated on “The JJ Redick Podcast”. When asked about the possibility of linking with certain teams such as his hometown New York Knicks, he maintained that stance.
“I think it’s just hard coming back home. New York is New York. I’m from here. But you know, I’m just very comfortable in Charlotte. That’s why I gave [the media] those answers. Charlotte was the first team to give me my opportunity out of college, and during the draft, I had no idea where I was going. So I get asked questions about New York all the time, and I’m like, ‘I don’t know.’ I’ve been on one team my whole entire career so far and I’ll be a free agent next season, so, we’ll see.”
Although it's his output now, we've seen the flurry that goes on throughout the season as stars make a change of direction in mere seconds. With that being said, here's a realistic trade that could find its way onto the desk of Charlotte's front office in January, only this time it may be strongly considered.
New York gets: Kemba Walker:
Ok…this was pretty obvious, yet still, it makes reasonable sense. Kemba remains loyal to Charlotte in the moment, because the jersey he throws over his back every night complies with it. When free agency starts, no one's to say where Walker's head may be when the conversation of having actual options comes about. Being paired with the likes of Kristaps Porzingis, a mythical beast in the frontcourt, could be enough to persuade the hometown native to sign the dotted line and take his talents to MSG. Like he stated, he's been with one team his entire career, and has never really tested the option of another team as he signed an extension in 2014 that carried him to the present. Still, a deal going to his hometown won't linger too much disappointment with him, as he gets to play in a historical arena night in and night out, giving New York the possible face of the franchise that they've coveted for so long. At 28 years old, it'd surely be the last stop for Walker in his career.
Charlotte gets: Lance Thomas, Emmanuel Mudiay, 2021 Round 1 and Round 2 pick
Charlotte practically breaks even in this deal, they let the risk of losing Kemba for nothing in return ride off into the sunset by getting the services of Emmanuel Mudiay, who's shown flashy glimpses of what he can become in this league after being highly sought after in the 2015 NBA draft and being selected seventh overall. He's yet to improve on the shooting woes that have disturbed him his first few seasons in the league, but has made slight improvements each year. They also get a bit of insurance by adding New York's 2021 1st and 2nd round pick, a piece(s) that could be very valuable in time if New York's success fails to improve.
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