OKC Thunder trade primer: Hornets seek to build the hive around Kemba Walker
Don’t expect the Hornets star to be leaving Charlotte, at least not at the deadline, especially with Kemba Walker starting at the home town All-Star Game.
Whether Michael Jordan will pony up in the offseason is another story but reports persist that MJ won’t actively shop Walker and would only entertain calls if it featured a swap for another All-Star. (as per Kirstie Chiappelli of Sporting News below).
"Jordan said. “We ask teams who they like on our roster and they always say Kemba. It’s not like we are shopping him. We would not just give him up. I love Kemba Walker. I would not trade him for anything but an All-Star player."
Walker is completing one of the best value contracts in the NBA this season (four years $48M contract) and has definitely earned his raise. Re-signing Walker could equal over $32M a season. More, if he makes an All-NBA team.
To put this in perspective, three players can opt-in free agency.
- Biyombo – $17M
- Williams – $15M
- Kidd-Gilchrist – $13M
Then consider Zeller ($14.4M) and (although it pains me to say) the highly overpaid Nic Batum with two remaining years on his albatross salary ($25.5 next season and an opt-in year ( $27.1) he’d be crazy to ignore. So, if Walker signed a max deal his $32 plus million would push the Hornets salary to close to $117M for six players.
The issue is clear as day. Although each of the above players offers specialty services or plays a significant role none are remotely close to being stars and Charlotte would still have to sign another nine players plus two 2-way contracts next season.
For this reason, the Hornets will be looking to move contracts to cut their costs but Batum, for example, isn’t a contract most teams will want to absorb for the next two years. Therefore don’t be surprised if anyone except Kemba Walker is open to being traded.
Since the Thunder needs wings and shooters we’ll focus on Jeremy Lamb and Marvin Williams.