Knicks fans hoping to see Kemba Walker come home need to start making other plans. Walker is very committed to helping the Hornets succeed.
The idea of Kemba Walker returning to New York City to elevate the Knicks to NBA title contending status is an alluring, romantic notion. Unfortunately, that’s probably all it is. Walker doesn’t sound much like a player who’s going to be playing his home games at Madison Square Garden anytime soon.
The talented point guard recently told reporters that New York will always be a “special” place for him, but he has a really hard time “seeing himself in a Knicks jersey.” That’s obviously bad news for Knicks fans hoping to see Walker choose them in free agency next summer. The former UConn star will hit the market after playing the last year of a four-year, $48 million contract he signed back in 2015.
If Walker gets his way, there will be a lot of potential free agent destinations that experience disappointment. He remains committed to doing something “special in Charlotte.” Ideally, he’d like to finish out his career with the Hornets.
His upcoming free agency will be a major decision for general manager Mitch Kupchak and his new regime. Walker is an excellent player, but he will be 29 years old when he signs his next deal. The list of sub 6-foot point guards playing well past the age of 30 in the NBA is pretty small. Walker is listed at 6-foot-1 but that appears generous at best.
He’s also going to hit the market looking for a big raise. The $12 million he’s making this season represents one of the best bargains in the game. The fact that the Hornets haven’t been able to take advantage of that cap flexibility is disheartening. To keep their franchise point guard it will likely force them to double his current level of compensation and provide him the security of a four-year deal at the absolute minimum.
There’s an outside chance the Hornets won’t be willing to commit that kind of contract to Walker despite how well he’s played for the franchise. Letting him go would clearly signal a rebuild in Charlotte, but that might be the best course of action for a team without a clear path to contention.
Ultimately, that’s the only way Walker is going to hit the Big Apple via free agency. If the Hornets are willing to pay him, he’ll stay put. If not, the Knicks still have a chance to engineer an intriguing reunion.