All-NBA point guard Kemba Walker spoke today to reporters about his upcoming free agency and dropped a a couple interesting details about his thought process as he prepares for the summer.
As Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer relays (via Twitter), Walker reiterated that the Hornets are his first priority in free agency, which is something he said a couple weeks ago. However, that doesn’t mean re-signing with Charlotte will be automatic. Walker plans to meet with other teams before making his decision, Bonnell notes.
Additionally, while Walker’s spot on the All-NBA Third Team this season ensured that he’s eligible for a super-max contract from the Hornets, the 29-year-old said today that he won’t necessarily be demanding that full amount from his longtime team. Asked if he’d accept a lesser salary to help Charlotte build around, Walker confirmed he’s open to that idea, as Nick Carboni of WCNC tweets.
“Yeah I would take less,” Walker said. “Sure, why not? I would take less.”
Given the Hornets’ cap situation, even a relatively team-friendly deal probably wouldn’t help the team much from a flexibility standpoint — assuming Michael Kidd-Gilchrist exercises his player option, Charlotte’s team salary will increase to $94MM for 2019/20 even before taking a new Walker deal into account.
Based on the NBA’s current salary cap projections, which call for a $109MM cap, a super-max deal for Walker would be worth about $221.3MM over five years. A standard max contract from the Hornets could be worth up to $189.7MM over five years, while a rival suitor would be limited to a projected $140.6MM for four years.
Although the Hornets will attempt to retain Walker, they’ll face stiff competition from several other clubs. Earlier this week, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski identified the Lakers, Knicks, and Mavericks as top contenders for Kemba. The former UConn star could also be a target for smaller-market teams with cap flexibility who need a point guard, such as the Pacers and Jazz.
I think Kemba re signs in Charlotte
Def. Why not take the money? Hornets are better than Knicks anyways.
I am happy as long as he doesnt go to mavs. I dont want him on our team?
Why wouldn’t you want a star PG on your team? He could help Doncic and Porzingis…he can handle the ball and/or score, so if Doncic is playing facilitator the. Kemba and Porzingis can score… Of Kemba is running point then KP and Doncic can score… What’s the problem with having versatile guys like that?
A Doncic and Walker backcourt would be atrocious on defense. Probably have to play Luca at the three.
Luka plays the 3 already they have Hardaway Jr at the 2
Gotcha and then Brunson or JJ Barea at the one.
I don’t think he’s work even the max or 140 mil over 4. He’s 29. For his size and wear and tear he’s just not worth that investment for any team especially a team like Charlotte.
If a guy finishing on an All-NBA team and multiple all star teams isn’t worth a max contract, then who is?
Let Charlotte give him the max. They’ll regret that instantly. He’s not a #1 on a team, better suited for a #2 or 3 roll. If they give him that max they’ll be stuck in mediocrity for a while
Basically only the top 5 or so players in the entire sport. Curry, Kawhi, Durant (ignoring the injury) etc…
Lots of other players are “worth” max deals but a salary cap by definition prevents anyone from getting what they are worth. If Charlotte gives Kemba a max deal, it will be impossible for them to be serious contenders at any point in the contract.
What a refreshing attitude! He knows if he stays and takes up too much of the payroll it will make it harder to surround him with good players and win.
I’m not so sure it’s his great attitude, though I think he has one. It’s just that he knows he’s not going to get that supermax 221 million. He’s looking at reality, rather than he’s a nice guy.
Very interesting, his comments make me think he will stay but he’s never going to win with that team. Their cap is so messed up.
I’m expecting Miles Bridges to have a breakout season next year so Kemba Walker will re-sign I believe.
Why would Charlotte even consider resigning Walker? Sure, he’s a great player, but they’re not built to win now, their attendance is putrid, and giving out a max or supermax contract would seriously hamper any attempts to build a team going forward.
The Hornets need to gut the roster and start over. They can’t do that with a nearly quarter of a billion dollar player.
I agree with your opinion Tom. Nice to have a fresh face here… Especially someone around my age group.
How do I know your age? Here’s how I know LOL… your username.
First name only- 45 to 55.
First and last name- 65 plus.
Some form of last name and probably similar to their email username- 35 to 45.
Some nickname unrelated to their own name, but rather their favorite team, or a funny nickname- under 30.
If MJ were threatened at gunpoint, I doubt he’d give KW the super max. But he’s still worth more to the Hornets than any other team, so $$-wise it’s best he stays.
Any outside team with cap space would be looking for him to be a foundation piece on a contender, and he’s not that type of player. He’s a high IQ player, so I think he could adjust his approach, but he’d settle in more as a 3rd guy, though 2nd offensive option, on a contender, and at his age, that means the other two guys would need to be in place already for it to end well.
If the Lakers get AD, then KW
Walker & club mgmt have probably already spoken various numbers and 221 was not one of them
He is not worth the super max…why so much talk about something that is so obvious…he takes MJ’s money…and the Hornets remain a team that just ‘makes up the numbers’…what would be a good article to read about would be , how the media controls NBA award voting and therefor a players potential worth…
do not undertsnad why everyone thinks Kemba is a star or worth the super max. Guy’s only averaged above .44 FG% once and above .43 fg% 3 times (including the .44 season). He’s a volume scorer with an average 3 whose stats are inflated by the fact that he’s a PG and has the ball in his hands more often than not. hope the hornets do resign him, cripple their team for another 5 years, less competition for my Bulls
Did you read any of the comments ? No one thinks he’s worth super max.
He will resign .I’ve been following his contract through out the season , and he’s a lifer