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Legend
SI.com
?Kemba Walker, Hornets
Walker projects to be the biggest fish in the trade market. The UConn product is having the best season of his career in 2018?19, pouring in 27.9 points per game while shooting a career-high from the field and 38.3% from three. He?s an expiring contract, too. Charlotte can offer the largest contract to Walker?five years, $188 million?yet it?s likely the former NCAA champion will search for a better situation after failing to win a playoff series in each of his first seven seasons.
There won?t be a shortage of suitors should Charlotte opt to deal Walker. The Lakers would be expected to enter the mix, seeking a proven secondary scorer alongside LeBron James. Walker can mirror Kyrie Irving?s impact next to James, providing a clutch shot-maker with isolation credentials. Sacrificing Kyle Kuzma or Brandon Ingram (or perhaps a point-guard swap involving Lonzo Ball) could get a deal done.
Other intriguing destinations? Perhaps Philadelphia isn?t done star shopping. The 76ers own Miami?s unprotected 2021 first-round pick, and perhaps the Hornets will attempt to revive Markelle Fultz?s career. San Antonio could look to add another backcourt scorer, too, and the Spurs have the young capital to make a deal. Expect a robust market for the two-time All-Star.
Charlotte?s cap sheet is ugly outside of Walker. Bismack Biyombo has a $17 million option for 2019?20 that he will likely accept, and the same goes for Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at $13 million. The Hornets owe an additional $15 million to Marvin Williams and $14.5 million to Cody Zeller. The most egregious deal belongs to Nic Batum, who is slated to earn $25.6 million next season. If Charlotte can attach one of the aforementioned contracts to a Walker deal, it will go a long way to mitigating the damage done during the Rich Cho era.?
?Kemba Walker, Hornets
Walker projects to be the biggest fish in the trade market. The UConn product is having the best season of his career in 2018?19, pouring in 27.9 points per game while shooting a career-high from the field and 38.3% from three. He?s an expiring contract, too. Charlotte can offer the largest contract to Walker?five years, $188 million?yet it?s likely the former NCAA champion will search for a better situation after failing to win a playoff series in each of his first seven seasons.
There won?t be a shortage of suitors should Charlotte opt to deal Walker. The Lakers would be expected to enter the mix, seeking a proven secondary scorer alongside LeBron James. Walker can mirror Kyrie Irving?s impact next to James, providing a clutch shot-maker with isolation credentials. Sacrificing Kyle Kuzma or Brandon Ingram (or perhaps a point-guard swap involving Lonzo Ball) could get a deal done.
Other intriguing destinations? Perhaps Philadelphia isn?t done star shopping. The 76ers own Miami?s unprotected 2021 first-round pick, and perhaps the Hornets will attempt to revive Markelle Fultz?s career. San Antonio could look to add another backcourt scorer, too, and the Spurs have the young capital to make a deal. Expect a robust market for the two-time All-Star.
Charlotte?s cap sheet is ugly outside of Walker. Bismack Biyombo has a $17 million option for 2019?20 that he will likely accept, and the same goes for Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at $13 million. The Hornets owe an additional $15 million to Marvin Williams and $14.5 million to Cody Zeller. The most egregious deal belongs to Nic Batum, who is slated to earn $25.6 million next season. If Charlotte can attach one of the aforementioned contracts to a Walker deal, it will go a long way to mitigating the damage done during the Rich Cho era.?