Why the Charlotte Hornets should NOT trade Kemba Walker

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 3: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets handles the ball against the Chicago Bulls on April 3, 2018 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 3: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets handles the ball against the Chicago Bulls on April 3, 2018 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 13: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets drives the ball past Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a NBA game at the Smoothie King Center on March 13, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 13: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets drives the ball past Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a NBA game at the Smoothie King Center on March 13, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

The sort-of maybe possibilities…

Indiana Pacers:

Pacers get: Kemba Walker

Hornets get: Thaddeus Young

Oladipo and Walker would be a deadly combo. Their skills match up perfectly, considering Oladipo’s defensive abilities would counterbalance Kemba’s offensive nature. Kemba for Thad Young matches up near-perfectly from a contract perspective (the Hornets have nine PF’s anyway, what’s one more?) But the Pacers would have to give up a nice 1st-round pick too or a young player (they only really have young bigs to offer, which the Hornets already have enough of), which they probably wouldn’t/shouldn’t do just to upgrade on Darren Collison–who turned in another solid season this past year.

New Orleans Pelicans:

Pelicans get: Kemba Walker

Hornets get: Nikola Mirotic

An ideal running mate for AD and Jrue. Wouldn’t be insane to swap Kemba for Mirotic and a future first-round pick. Charlotte would certainly be the “loser” in this swap, but it’s not unimaginable.

Orlando Magic:

Magic get: Kemba Walker

Hornets get: Nikola Vucevic

They somehow have never drafted an effective point guard in the past decade. I’ve heard Lowry mentioned to be their new short-term PG. Why stop at the Biyombo trade, though? The two teams could theoretically swap Ross or Vucevic and a 1st for Kemba, but that pick is way too valuable to be anything less than top-5, top-8 protected or worse for the Hornets.