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The Charlotte Hornets are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. That is a fact.
The Charlotte Hornets currently own a record of 19-23 and have lost five of their last six games and eight of their last 11. Also a fact.
Let's be honest, here: the Hornets are not going anywhere. If they make the playoffs, they will just serve as nothing more than first-round fodder for one of the top teams.
What Charlotte needs is a rebuild.
Of course, the Hornets also have a major decision to make this summer regarding Kemba Walker, as Walker will be an unrestricted free agent and will likely command a massive salary.
The question is, would Walker even want to stay in Charlotte at this point?
While the Hornets have not given any indication that they are going to move Walker by next month's trading deadline, you have to assume there will be some chatter between now and then, especially if Charlotte continues to fall in the Eastern Conference standings.
So, here are five teams who should pursue Walker by next month:
5. Miami Heat
Okay; this one is a bit tricky.
The Heat would be taking a rather big gamble going after Walker, as they would be banking on Goran Dragic opting out of his contract and becoming a free agent this summer.
If Dragic does end up testing the free-agent market, Miami is going to be in need of a point guard, and Walker would certainly fit the bill, and by trading for him now, the Heat would all but assure themselves a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and would represent a rather tough first-round matchup for one of the top teams.
Again, though, this would be risky, as it would be very dependent on Dragic declining his player option.
Taking that into consideration, the Heat might be better off waiting for the summer to pursue Walker, but if they are really hellbent on trying to contend this season, they can roll the dice.
Think about this for a second: Dragic is due back from his knee injury at some point this season, so if the Heat can trade for Walker, they will have a Dragic-Walker duo to go along with guys like Hassan Whiteside, Josh Richardson, Kelly Olynyk and wily veteran Dwyane Wade.
Not a bad team.
4. Dallas Mavericks
This one might sound a bit odd, but hear me out.
The Mavericks are currently on the outskirts of the Western Conference playoff race, but, as it stands, they do not have enough to actually sneak into the postseason.
Bringing Walker aboard, however, could potentially change things.
Dallas already has a young stud in Luka Doncic, not to mention DeAndre Jordan and Harrison Barnes, so adding Walker into the mix could very well make the Mavs a playoff team.
Not only that, but Walker on the Mavericks long term doesn't sound so bad.
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Doncic would surely love playing alongside of Walker, who would attract attention from opposing defenses to free up more driving lanes for the Slovenian.
The Mavericks will also have a lot of cap space this summer, so the would be able to re-sign Walker without much of an issue.
3. New Orleans Pelicans
If there is one team in the league that is desperate right now, it's the New Orleans Pelicans.
With Anthony Davis' free agency getting closer and closer, the Pelicans face more and more pressure to win now, and winning is not something New Orleans is doing at the moment.
In order to appease Davis, the Pelicans will need to show a commitment to trying to contend moving forward, and acquiring Walker would be a good start.
Davis, Walker and Jrue Holiday would certainly be an awesome trio that would wreak havoc on opposing defenses, and locking up Walker for the long haul could go a long way to showing Davis that the Pels mean business.
The problem for the Pelicans is that they do not exactly have a lot of young talent that would entice Charlotte, but perhaps Julius Randle would pique the Hornets' interest.
2. San Antonio Spurs
Just imagine Walker in San Antonio for a second. A trio of LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMar DeRozan and Walker would be absolutely lethal offensively, providing the Spurs with yet another big three.
The Spurs are rarely big players on the trade market. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to actually name a significant player whom San Antonio has added via trade under Gregg Popovich. However, this is also the first time in over two decades that the Spurs are not legitimate contenders, so they might have a different mindset at the moment.
Naturally, Walker's contract situation would need to be taken into consideration, as he will be a free agent this summer, and whether or not the Spurs would be willing to pay up to retain him is debatable.
It's not like San Antonio doesn't have any young backcourt talent, either, as Dejounte Murray (who is out for the season), Derrick White and Bryn Forbes all look like players going forward.
But, Walker is just 28, and in a Western Conference that is not as strong as it once was, an Aldridge-DeRozan-Walker trio could make some noise.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
And that brings us to the team you have probably all been waiting for.
Let's get started with the facts: there is no guarantee the Lakers are going to be able to land a big-name free agent this coming summer. They were spurned by Paul George last year, and it doesn't seem like Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler are crazy about the idea of playing with LeBron James.
Throw in the fact that James is dealing with a legitimate injury for the first time in his career at age 34, and you have to wonder just how much interest guys have in playing for the Lakers in general right now.
That's why trading for Walker midseason could give them a bit of an edge. Not only would they land a terrific point guard who could help them in their quest for the playoffs, but Walker might be more amenable to signing long term with the Lakers if he spends some time there this season first.
The Lakers have plenty of young talent to trade for Walker, starting with Lonzo Ball.
Honestly, the fit just seems too perfect, which is why it probably won't happen.
