Kemba Walker emanates the very essence of New York while also dispelling any false judgment of being a ā€œbig-city guy.ā€ The Charlotte Hornets point man has been linked to the New York Knicks several times due to his native roots, but he has been more than happy to spend his career in Charlotte, largely unnoticed and happy to live a normal life despite a life-changing multi-million-dollar decision ahead of the impending free-agency period.

ā€œI love it,ā€ Walker said of Charlotte, according to Jonathan Abrams of Bleacher Report. ā€œI love it. It's perfect for me. The pace of the city is pretty slow, which I love. It's not fast-paced like New York. ā€¦ I'm able to just live pretty much a normal life. I'm able to go out and eat and not really be bothered. Go to the mall and walk around, not really be bothered. That's what I like, personally. That's the kind of life I like to live.ā€

As it is, Walker is the 21st highest-paid point guard, despite being en route to a third straight All-Star mention, making only $12 million in each of his last four seasons with the Hornets. He can make as much as $189 million over the next five seasons by re-signing with Charlotte as an unrestricted free agent.

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Walker embodies New York with the swagger and the razzle-dazzle to his game, filled with crossover moves, step-back jumpers and high-arching treys that made Hornets fans fall in love with him as the centerpiece of the franchise. Yet the 6-foot-1 guard has accustomed himself to a more easygoing lifestyle.

ā€œKemba is a bit of a mellow guy, and I think he likes the laid-back attitude of the city,ā€ said Jeff Schwartz, Walkerā€™s agent. ā€œI think heā€™s just really comfortable.Ā Think about where Kemba grew up. He grew up in New York, and Charlotte is really different. I think Kemba is completely comfortable in New York, but from a lifestyle and growing up and becoming an adult and having a life outside of the gym, I just think heā€™s really comfortable. I think itā€™s symbiotic with the way Charlotte has treated him and the way he reacts to Charlotte.ā€

If Walker chooses to remain with the Hornets, he'll be rewarded handsomely for his loyalty, more than tripling his annual salary with a max extension this summer.