Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker has been swarmed with trade rumors since a leak in the organization put forward the possibility of including him in a package that could unload unwanted assets with overblown contracts.
Yet he's chosen to tune it all out.
via Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer:
“I’m not even thinking about it,” Walker said in a video published on the team’s website Friday. “I see it all the time, I hear it all the time. I hear all the rumors. But I could care less.”
Walker was previously rumored to be a target of the Cleveland Cavaliers in hopes to get LeBron James to stay.
So much for that…
Rumors then shifted to a swap with the San Antonio Spurs to acquire Kawhi Leonard, but the franchise remains intent in solving issues internally unless they're blown out of the water with an offer.
Yet this new front office has chosen to keep him as the franchise cog, hoping to build around him over time.
“He is a player that we hope is with us, not only for the next couple of years, but he ends his career here,” said new general manager Mitch Kupchak.
Walker will only make $12 million this upcoming season, a real bargain compared to what other All-Stars are making today.
Yet the front office will have to woo him not only with a vision, but with bold moves that can improve the talent around him, as well as the results.
“I’m a Hornet,” said Walker, who turned 28 in May. “This is my eighth year and I’m excited like my rookie year.”
Walker saw one of his biggest friends go in coach Steve Clifford, but is confident former Spurs assistant James Borrego will do a good job taking over the helm.
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