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Kemba Walker rumors: What kind of extension will Charlotte Hornets offer?

By Andrew Melnick

Apr 2, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Bobcats defeated the Sixers 123-93. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Bobcats defeated the Sixers 123-93. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Although the additions of big man Al Jefferson and head coach Steve Clifford were big reasons the Charlotte Hornets were one of the most improved teams in the NBA last year, the development of point guard Kemba Walker should not be overlooked. The Hornets and Walker will likely be talking about a contract extension.

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According to Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors, Walker will likely target a contract worth between $41 and $48 million over four years but originally predicted he would sign a deal worth about $40 million.

"Walker’s ball-handling numbers closely mirror what Lawson put up the season before he signed his four-year, $48MM extension, and they exceed what Holiday put up right before his extension, even though Walker lags behind both Lawson and Holiday as a shooter. Neither deal comes off as a bargain two years later, but they aren’t especially player-friendly contracts, either.The Hornets would probably be pleased to come away with an extension that committed them to Walker for four years and $40MM, as I predicted earlier in the offseason that they would. Schwartz would rightly hesitate to let his client go for such a number and instead target one in the $41-48MM range that Holiday and Lawson established. We’ll soon see just how high the Hornets are willing to go to keep their positive momentum of the past two offseasons rolling."

If Walker continues to improve, that isn’t a terrible deal. The Hornets, however, would like to save money for Jefferson, who can become a free agent after the 2014-2015 season.

Walker put up 17.7 points, 6.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 39.3% from the floor, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 83.7% from the free throw line last season. In his three-year career, the ninth-overall pick in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft, has put up 16.0 points, 5.5 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 39.8% from the field, 32.2% from three and 81.0% from the charity stripe.

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