The Charlotte Hornets are deeply committed to keeping All-NBA point guard Kemba Walker, but they are reportedly unlikely to give him the full five-year, $221 million supermax deal he earned last month upon his selection to the All-NBA Third Team, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
“There is doubt around the NBA that the Hornets will reach that high amount, but owner Michael Jordan’s loyalty has always been with Walker.”
While there is mutual interest in this deal, Walker considers the fifth year of this deal to be very important to him, a deal only the Hornets can offer, considering that leaving Charlotte would limit the other 29 teams to a four-year deal for the max.
There was also deep doubt that the Golden State Warriors would have offered that steep an amount, had he edged Walker for the Third Team mention — though the cases are completely different.
While both players are sold on returning to their respective teams, Thompson's deal as it is can put the Warriors elbows-deep in the luxury tax, while Walker will require not only a steep monetary compensation, but also the promise that the front office will surround him with better talent and a vision of getting the Hornets into the playoffs.
The Dallas Mavericks remain the Hornets' worst enemy when it comes to prying Walker away, but if the Hornets have done their homework and can secure a first-minute meeting with Walker, it should only take a concise plan of attack and a few well-placed zeroes on a check to make him re-sign with the franchise.
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