The Charlotte Hornets are 34-39 on the season, which is 10th in the eastern conference. The Hornets are two games behind the Miami Heat, who currently hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the east (36-37). They also hear the clock ticking on them when it comes to Kemba Walker. Walker is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this summer and he has every reason to leave Charlotte. Here’s three reasons why he should leave the Hornets this summer in free agency.
Ownership Has Failed Kemba Walker
The owner of the Hornets franchise, Michael Jordan, should be a big reason why Walker should leave Charlotte. Jordan has made some head scratching moves in the past few years. He brought now former Hornets GM Rich Cho on board.
Cho gave Nicholas Batum a five-year, $120 million deal that the franchise is now regretting. The Hornets hired former Los Angeles Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak this past off-season. Kupchak now has bad contracts on the payroll, which Cho is responsible for.
In Walker’s seven plus years with the Hornets, he’s also endured changes at the head coaching position. Entering this season, the Hornets hired James Borrego, who’s a former assistant on the San Antonio Spurs coaching staff.
Hiring Borrego this past summer was the Hornets fourth head coaching hire since drafting Walker in 2011. Not only that, the front office has done a poor job surrounding Walker with talent that he can thrive with. The two best players he’s played with in his tenure in Charlotte are Batum and Al Jefferson. Obviously, they were both solid players, but they weren’t the stars or co-stars that you need to win with.
During his soon to be eight year tenure with the Hornets, Walker has been to the playoffs twice. Both playoff appearances resulted in Charlotte going home in the first round. Obviously, the Hornets can offer Walker a five-year, $189 million max deal this summer.
That deal can go up $221 million if he’s voted All-NBA this season. However, for Walker, if he wants to contend, it likely won’t be in Charlotte. The Hornets have shown that they aren’t capable of having stability on the sideline and in the front office. Those reasons are why the Hornets front office and ownership have failed Walker.
Kemba Walker Will Have Better Options At His Disposal In Free Agency
Walker should also leave Charlotte simply because the Hornets aren’t a top free agent destination for stars. In free agency, he’ll also have better options at his disposal. Teams like the Lakers, New York Knicks, and possibly the Los Angeles Clippers are teams that will pursue Walker.
Of the three teams, the Knicks are the weak link, but if they land Kevin Durant, that’ll change. The Lakers, especially LeBron James, would obviously love to have Walker. James would have a scorer who would thrive in the same role Kyrie Irving played alongside him with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Clippers argument for adding Walker is momentum is definitely on their side. Unlike the Lakers and Knicks, the Clippers are likely going to get at least one star this summer. That star is looking like it’s going to be Kawhi Leonard. Walker could pair with Leonard if their pursuit of Durant and Irving comes up short.
Walker can definitely be a difference maker for a contender, especially for the teams listed above. His scoring ability has improved this season. In 73 games played, Walker is averaging 25.0 points (career high), 5.8 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game.
His ability to score, especially late in games, is something a contender needs. Walker would also take the pressure off, especially when the offense is stagnant. He’s no doubt one of the toughest guys to guard in one on one situations.
Getting More Recognition Should Be A Consideration For Kemba Walker
The third and final reason why Walker should leave the Hornets is lack of recognition. Some are wondering this- What do you mean by lack of recognition? We know who he is. The problem is being in Charlotte, especially with the franchise not being successful, they aren’t going to be on national television that much. In fact, the Hornets schedule has only four nationally televised games on it.
When he’s on his game, Walker is one of the NBA’s most exciting players to watch. Imagine if he’s on a team that has playoff hopes. Believe it or not, there are a lot of people who haven’t been able to watch him play consistently. Walker is too good of a player to not be playing on national television.
Obviously, going to a playoff team will help net Walker some national television games. But going to a contender, especially one that can compete or possibly win next season, will help too. Being in Charlotte isn’t going to cut it.
We’ll Find Out How Bad Walker Wants To Win
It’s simply because why should Walker waste the rest of his prime on a franchise that isn’t going to win? Leaving Charlotte will mean he’ll likely be able to have the recognition and the increased odds to win on his plate. Best believe, that’s what most stars want and Charlotte simply doesn’t have it. Walker will be in a position to make a much needed move to change all of that.
He has every reason to leave the only NBA franchise that he’s ever known. The question is- what’s important to Walker? Money or winning? The ball will be in his court on June 30th at 6 PM EST when free agency begins.
