Charlotte Hornets’ Kemba Walker to use Eric Bledsoe deal as leverage?
The Phoenix Suns and restricted free agent guard Eric Bledsoe agreed to a five-year, $70 million deal earlier this week.
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The next point guard who may be in for a big deal is Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets.
Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders believes Walker can use Bledsoe’s deal as leverage.
"One of the members of the class whose market value has likely increased is Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker who was selected with the ninth overall pick in 2011. Walker’s leverage will undoubtedly be helped by Charlotte’s recent ascent in the standings and the fact guard Eric Bledsoe was recently able to secure a five-year, $70 million deal from Phoenix.But will the Charlotte Hornets decide to do with the emerging Walker?The Hornets can choose to extend Walker now to stop the slew of questions from the media or prevent any type of chemistry issues unfolding throughout the season. The Hornets could also elect to let opposing teams set the guard’s value next summer in restricted free agency (a qualifying offer would need to extended, of course)."
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. Bledsoe averaged 17.7 points, 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 47.7% from the field, 35.7% from beyond the arc and 77.2% from the free throw line last season. In his four-year NBA career, the 18th-overall pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA draft, has averaged 8.7 points, 3.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 44.5% from the floor, 32.7% from three and 75.8% from the charity stripe.
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