Kemba Walker would be ‘devastated’ by trade from Hornets
By Dave Daniels
Kemba Walker is truly invested in the Charlotte Hornets, and that’s why he would be hurt if they traded him.
Kemba Walker has been with the Charlotte Hornets since before they were even this version of themselves. The franchise changed their name to the Charlotte Bobcats after an ownership change, and it was the Bobcats who drafted Walker ninth overall. The point guard was underrated in college, and he ended up leading the Connecticut Huskies to a national title with one of the most clutch stretches of basketball in NCAA history.
It got revealed today that Walker was on the trade block, and you can check out FanSided’s coverage of that right here.
The Hornets will probably not trade their franchise player unless they get a king’s ransom back, but these kind of leaks can have a way of damaging team chemistry. The main reason they put him in the mix is to get rid of one of the team’s other contracts; however, that doesn’t seem like the best cause to get rid of one of the greatest players in franchise history. It’s not like LeBron James will consider Charlotte in free agency if they clear enough cap space.
Walker was asked today if he would be devastated by a trade from the Hornets.
“Of course,” he said to the Charlotte Observer. “This is the first time I’ve been in this kind of situation. I’ve been here for the last seven years, and I’m going to do what I can do to help my team win games. That’s all I can do. I’d be pretty upset. I have put my heart and soul into this city.”
The point guard’s teammates and coaches stepped up and supported him as well. Nicolas Batum called Walker “the team’s leader,” and head coach Steve Clifford said that Kemba was “the face of the franchise.”
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If the Hornets trade Walker, then they are essentially punting on this season. That might be a hard pill to swallow if you are a season ticket holder, and this franchise better be careful that they don’t alienate their fanbase while also falling into an inescapable lottery hole. That is the risk they take if Walker gets traded for the wrong package.