NBA Free Agency 2019: 5 potential destinations for Kemba Walker

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CHARLOTTE, NC – FEBRUARY 17: LeBron James #23 of Team LeBron handles the ball against Kemba Walker #15 of Team Giannis during the 2019 NBA All-Star Game on February 17, 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Los Angeles Lakers

With LeBron James heading into his age-35 season, the Los Angeles Lakers can’t afford a repeat of their disappointing 2018-19 campaign.

They took the first step toward avoiding that fate Saturday when they agreed to trade Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and at least three first-round picks to the New Orleans Pelicans for All-Star big man Anthony Davis, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Depending on the timing of the trade, they could have as much as $32.5 million in salary-cap space this summer. But if the Pelicans don’t agree to delay finalizing the trade until July 30, the Lakers will have either $27.7 million or $23.7 million depending on whether Davis waives his trade kicker, far short of what they’d need to sign Walker to a max.

After news of the trade broke Saturday, Marc Stein of the New York Times reported Walker “will be a top target in free agency for the Lakers.” Bleacher Report’s Ken Berger added: “The word in league circles is that Walker is in play, especially if the historically frugal Hornets balk at paying him the supermax.”

With the Golden State Warriors suddenly looking more vulnerable than they have in years, the idea of teaming up with James and Davis might appeal to Walker, who has yet to advance past the first round of the playoffs in his eight-year NBA career.

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