Charlotte Hornets talisman Kemba Walker received a rousing ovation from the crowd at the Spectrum Center despite a 122-114 loss to the playoff-bound Orlando Magic, a loss that also helps bump The Queen City from any postseason hopes.

Walker fought valiantly to keep his team in the race, but the outcome would matter little, as the Detroit Pistons were in cruise control playing against the New York Knicks, already boasting a 30-point lead by the third quarter, which put the Hornets out of reach.

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This could very well be the last year of seeing Walker in a Hornets uniform, given that he's played out the last year of his four-year, $48 million deal and will become an unrestricted free agent on July.

The Bronx native has expressed his desire to return to Charlotte and be the face of the franchise, yet questions about the front office's inability to surround him with playoff-caliber talent have been long a concern.

Walker will be highly pursued by teams of a capable point guard like the Los Angeles Lakers, the Phoenix Suns, and the Dallas Mavericks, who were rumored to have him between the crosshairs going into the offseason.

His stay will ultimately hinge on what ownership can do to convince him to re-sign with the team. It's only right that Walker explores his free agent options and hears other teams' best pitch, but he would only be eligible for a four-year, $140 million deal as opposed to the $190 million the Hornets can offer over the course of five seasons.