A rival front office executive says the Charlotte Hornets should have traded All-Star point guard Kemba Walker last season when his value was at its highest, according to Yaron Weitzman of Bleacher Report.

Last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers were trying to acquire Walker to appease superstar small forward LeBron James. A deal, though, never got done.

Walker becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer for the first time in his career. Execs and scouts around the league believe the Hornets are screwed whether they re-sign Walker or let him walk.

Article Continues Below
More Charlotte Hornets News
Collin Sexton in Charlotte Hornets jersey wearing #2 and Jusuf Nurkic in Utah Jazz jersey wearing #27 with a purple background
Grading Hornets-Jazz trade involving Collin Sexton, Jusuf NurkicKris Pursiainen ·
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) and Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) after the game at Delta Center.
NBA rumors: Hornets’ Collin Sexton trade comes after Chris Paul revelationJaren Kawada ·
Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) handles the ball against Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) during the second half at Spectrum Center.
Hornets acquire Collin Sexton from Jazz for Jusuf NurkicTroy Finnegan ·
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) reacts during the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Spectrum Center.
Hornets rumors: Charlotte targeting move LaMelo Ball will loveJaren Kawada ·
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) dribbles beside Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) in the first quarter during game two of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
NBA rumors: Ty Jerome suitors lining up amid expected Cavs exitTroy Finnegan ·
Kon Knueppel stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the fourth pick by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
Charlotte Hornets 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickZachary Howell ·

“It'd be like the John Wall deal,” one front-office person said. “They should have traded him last year, when his value was high. They could have just reset.”

“They're fu**ed either way,” is how three (!) different NBA front-office people described the situation. Let Walker go, and, as one scout said, “They'd be like an expansion team.” Ink him to the supermax and Charlotte would be diving into dangerous waters. As great as Walker is, he's proved that he's not capable of carrying a team deep into the playoffs on his own. He'll also turn 29 in May, bringing him right up to the age where players often begin declining.

Walker played in 82 games this season for the Hornets. He averaged 25.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists while shooting 43.4 percent from the field, 35.6 percent from beyond the arc and 84.4 percent from the free-throw line.

Walker has only made the playoffs twice with the Hornets. He's expected to be pursued by the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks this summer.