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Charlotte Hornets Rumor: Kemba Walker isn’t likely on the trade block

By Jerry Stephens

Jan 21, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) talks to head coach Steve Clifford during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) talks to head coach Steve Clifford during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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There has been some talk about the Charlotte Hornets potentially moving Kemba Walker but it looks like there are no legs to those rumors just yet.

According to Steve Kyler of BasketballInsiders.com, it is unlikely that the Charlotte Hornets have put Kemba Walker on the trade block. He replied to a tweet about the all-star point guard potentially being available and said that “Not anything I have heard. Would be counter to everything the Hornets have said for the last year.” Although things can change, as of right now, it looks like he will stay with the Queen City team.

The rumors make some sense because Kemba’s trade value is higher than it’s ever been as he is coming off of the best season of his career. Surely there will be multiple teams from around the league at least inquiring about Walker but for now, it looks like the Hornets will resist most offers. If a team offered multiple first-round picks then Charlotte would probably seriously consider it.

After averaging 23.2 points per game, 5.5 assists and 3.9 rebounds this past season, the 27-year old was named to his first ever all-star game. While his value has never been higher, the Hornets would be hard pressed to find another star on his level. That is another reason why they are unlikely to move him as Walker is the first star player that they’ve had in some time.

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There have been no rumblings from Kemba about wanting a move away from Charlotte. For the most part, he seems happy with the Hornets and is even the franchise’s second all-time leading scorer. He hasn’t had any public problems with the coaching staff, teammates or the front office which

One article from DallasNews.com suggested that the Mavericks go after Walker. Even Philadelphia 76ers‘ beat writer, Tom Moore, recently had a discussion on Twitter about the possibility of the Hornets’ trading the former first-round pick. Both of these were clearly hypothetical but still, Kemba’s name is being mentioned quite often this offseason.

Walker’s contract runs through the 2018-19 season as he is set to make $12 million over the next two years. If I had to guess, I would say that Kemba and the team will come to an agreement on a contract extension before he hits the open market.

Next: Charlotte needs to trade either Lamb or Belinelli

Fear not Charlotte Hornets’ fans. All signs point to Kemba Walker staying with the team for at least the entirety of his current deal. Although, we will ultimately have to wait and see if anything comes of these rumors as anything is possible in the NBA. If he is traded, the team should be able to get a pretty good return.

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