Kemba Walker wants to stay long-term with the Hornets and doubts he’ll wind up with the Knicks, he told Michael Scotto of The Athletic.
The Charlotte point guard and New York native is heading into his walk year and has a very movable $12MM contract. Cleveland has been oft-mentioned as a potential landing spot if he gets traded.
The Knicks have several point guard options, including Emmanuel Mudiay, Trey Burke and Frank Ntilikina, but Walker would generally be considered an upgrade.
“As far as seeing me in New York, I doubt it,” Walker told Scotto. “I’m a Hornet, and I’m planning on being a Hornet for a long time, so, yeah, I’m not sure about that (New York).”
Hornets GM Mitch Kupchak has said he’d like to retain Walker but a contract extension isn’t feasible due to salary-cap restraints. Thus, Walker is headed to free agency next summer if he doesn’t get traded.
The Hornets have a stopgap option in Tony Parker, who agreed to a two-year, $10MM contract in free agency. Walker welcomes Parker’s presence and hopes to learn a few new tricks from the wily 36-year-old.
“Having Tony Parker is huge,” Walker told Scotto. “He’s a guy who’s been through it all. He knows a lot. He’s won championships. He knows what it takes to win in this league. I don’t think there’s any better point guard to learn from than Tony Parker.”
Marvin Williams, Michael Kidd-Gilchrest and others will be free agents next summer. Like eveybody Charlotte will have cap space, but can offer more money than everybody else. Charlotte and Kemba mutually said they want him as their leader going forward. They should. He’s their only star.
Totally agree but the media wont report that. They only suggest these things with no facts. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kemba didnt even get the max so the team can spend more wisely in the years to come. He will be a Hornet for years to come. Go HORNETS!!
“The Knicks have several point guard options, including Emmanuel Mudiay, Trey Burke and Frank Ntilikina, but Walker would generally be considered an upgrade.”
No way…
Being a great on a junk team is better than being a merc like Deron Williams.
Knicks shouldn’t trade for Walker. He’s not the best fit for how they’re building the team. But still, he’s good enough that I assume there will be mutual interest next summer if he doesn’t re-up with the Hornets, and KI doesn’t want to come. Walker is pure NYC in his game and already an MSG legend (which, if he came, would give the current Knicks one).
Agreed. An Irving/Butler combo would be nice.
Funny isn’t it, generally viewed as an upgrade on those 3. Those guys put together will never be as good as Kemba is… SMH.
Knicks should not add any players now. They should spend the season letting the young talent play and land another good draft pick. Then free agency becomes a priority the following year. PATIENCE!
Knick fans know this, but then Dolan enters the picture and ruins it all.