Should the Charlotte Hornets Rest Kemba Walker?
With only about a month left in the season and the Charlotte Hornets almost eliminated from playoff contention, it might be time to rest Kemba.
The Charlotte Hornets only have a 5.8% chance of making the playoffs. (ESPN.com) That should be enough for the team to pack things in and essentially tank the rest of the season. Not only would tanking help improve their odds in the draft but it would allow them to rest their all-star in Kemba Walker.
The 26-year old has carried them for the majority of the year as he has only missed one game and has played the most minutes on the team this season. Not only that but Walker is also ninth in the entire NBA in total minutes. (NBA.com) Charlotte has relied heavily on Kemba and all of that pressure, travel and game wear and tear can’t be easy on his body.
While he hasn’t suffered an injury this season, it would be best to keep it that way and preserve him for next year. We’ve seen it in the past that when players are overworked for the entirety of a season, injuries are more likely. And with the Hornets’ unlucky string of injuries over the past couple of years, they shouldn’t risk their best player getting injured when there is nothing left to play for.
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As it is, Walker just had surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee this past summer. He played through that injury for about a month before the surgery even took place. After an injury-free season up to this point, it would be absolutely devastating for him to suffer a serious knock with nothing at stake.
Playing in the All-Star Game, while a great honor for Kemba, didn’t allow him to get extra rest. Life after the all-star break hasn’t gotten any easier for him. Multiple injuries coupled with the team’s desperate attempt to make the postseason has made Steve Clifford rely even more heavily on Walker as he ranks fourth in the league in total minutes played post all-star break. (NBA.com)
While it may be difficult to convince Kemba to sit out and miss the final month or so of the season, maybe the two sides can come to a compromise where he rests the last 10 games. There isn’t any incentive for him to be playing other than to improve his already impressive stat line as the team has already essentially been eliminated from playoff contention.
With that being said, there is an incentive for the team if he rests as they can attempt to tank and get a better draft pick. The Hornets don’t have to make it that obvious either. They could just say that Walker has a slight injury that will keep him out a few weeks. It would raise a few questions but no one would look too deeply into it and while he “recovers” from said injury, Charlotte could tank and improve their positioning for the upcoming draft which is loaded with talent.
While it isn’t a guarantee that he will get injured if he doesn’t rest, it does make it more likely. At this point in a disappointing season for the team, they might as well take the necessary precautions.
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Kemba has been through a lot this season but he is the type of player that would want to battle with his team until the final game of the year. Although it is unlikely that the Charlotte Hornets will rest their star, it would arguably be their best option going forward both for Walker and for the team.