Kemba Walker is a leader of men and a proverbial winner. Usually the smallest guy in any fight, he’s always had something to prove. In fact, he uses his size (or lack thereof) to his advantage by getting to spots on the floor that others can’t and knifing through defenses.
Going back to his days at UConn, he feeds opponents a steady diet of crossovers and step backs. Some of which come are so devastating, they send hapless defenders careening into a parallel dimension (the FBI is still searching for Gary McGhee).
Walker’s spent his entire seven-year career with one franchise thus far, but his time in the Queen City could be coming to a close. News broke last week that Charlotte firmly placed Walker on the block.
The Hornets dug themselves into the fourth circle of salary cap hell and most of their big signings turned into dead mackerels in the moonlight. They’ll do their best to attach as many bad contracts to him as possible in order to open up the cap sheet. Trading Walker would be the front office’s way of clearing the decks and erasing their sins.
Michael Jordan came out and said he’d only trade Walker if he got an All-Star in return, which seems contradictory to the team’s original message. Maybe it’s a posturing act to drive up the price. MJ knows Walker’s value only diminishes as his contract wanes. Moving him by the deadline gives Charlotte the best shot at dumping their unwanted deals.
Walker responded to the news, saying he doesn’t want to leave Charlotte. But he needs to think about the major silver lining here: getting traded means you won’t have to play with Dwight Howard anymore.
At $12 million per year through next season, he’s a relative bargain. There’s an argument to be had that he’s a top-seven point guard in the league. Even if you’re not a fan, he’s still in the top-10. Walker’s quickness is his best asset. He won’t be as effective once he loses a step, but that’s a worry for another day. (Also, you can basically say that for all of us.) Right now, he’s smack dab in the middle of his prime.
The teams that could use Walker are in no short supply. It’s just a matter of finding a return MJ would deem acceptable.
On Monday, I outlined my favorite Kemba destination. It checks the boxes of Charlotte getting talent back while still shedding less palatable contracts. It also turns a contender in the Western Conference into a potential giant-killer.
Cleveland’s been making inquiries on Walker’s availability. The Cavaliers have a lot of pieces, big-salary matchers, and could get creative. Would a package centered around Isaiah Thomas and Tristan Thompson be a good enough base if they absorbed Nic Batum or even, gulp, Howard?
San Antonio might not have the requisite all-star to send back, but putting Walker on a team with Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge under Pop’s tutelage is VERY enticing.
Denver has been long for a true point guard and acquiring Walker would bring them up a level. The Nuggets could offer myriad combinations with their horde of young talent and mid-sized contracts.
Detroit and Indiana both make a ton of sense by fit, need, and trade packages they can put together. The only question is would be if their talent be enough to move the needle in Charlotte.
Next: NBA Trade Deadline Portfolio 2018: Mike Conley
The Knicks get thrown around since Kemba is from the Bronx and thrives under the big lights of Madison Square Garden. But he doesn’t totally fit the same timeline as Kristaps Porzingis and you’d have to assume Charlotte would want Frank Ntilikina in any deal.
Would Charlotte settle for anything else? What about Tim Hardaway Jr.? You played against his dad, right, Mike? Hey, Willy Hernangomez has potential. Lance Thomas plays 18 minutes a game for some reason, he can do that for the Hornets too! Walker only won a solitary Final Four, but you know who’s a TWO-time college champion? Joakim Noah. Yeah…New York’s not happening unless they include Ntilikina and/or their upcoming first-round pick.
I’d put the likeliness of Walker getting moved by the deadline at seven out of 10. We have about two weeks left to see how it all plays out.
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