Swarm and Sting
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Why the Charlotte Hornets should NOT trade Kemba Walker

By Noah Driver

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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CHARLOTTE, UNITED STATES – NOVEMBER 23: Kemba Walker (15) of Charlotte Hornets moves around the San Antonio Spurs’ defense during the NBA match between San Antonio Spurs vs Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum arena in Charlotte, NC, USA on November 23, 2016. (Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, UNITED STATES – NOVEMBER 23: Kemba Walker (15) of Charlotte Hornets moves around the San Antonio Spurs’ defense during the NBA match between San Antonio Spurs vs Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum arena in Charlotte, NC, USA on November 23, 2016. (Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /

The strong potential fits:

Now we’re talking! These are the trades that, in my humble opinion, are actually beneficial for both teams. I seriously doubt either team would go for it, but it’s worth thinking through.

Milwaukee Bucks:

Two options:

A. Eric Bledsoe and an asset for Kemba Walker

B. Malcolm Brogdon and Tony Snell for Walker

There are problems with both trades, but preventing Giannis from leaving in free agency is the #1 priority for Milwaukee (the entire state, not just the Bucks) for the next three years.

A. This one pains me as a Hornets fan. Bledsoe has become a bit of a negative presence for this team in my opinion. It feels like losing for so long in Phoenix has turned him into a bit of a loser himself. He used to be an above-average defender and physical stud, but he looked genuinely disinterested in the playoffs, while Middleton and Giannis looked amazing taking the Celtics to seven games. I don’t personally think the Bucks should be opposed to moving a 2021 1st (their 2019 and 2020 picks are unavailable for trade) or a younger theoretical player like Sterling Brown,  Maker, or DiVincenzo.

B. Though really even, in my opinion, this feels like a stretch since the Bucks appear to be really big fans of both Snell and Brogdon. Plus, the recent ROTY is only going to be cheap for one more season–he becomes a Restricted Free Agent after ’18-’19 and it’s hard to see him not getting a pretty big pay bump. The Bucks would also need to move off of Bledsoe elsewhere to do this move, which makes it extremely unlikely to ever happen.

San Antonio Spurs:

Spurs get: Kemba Walker

Hornets get: Danny Green and Dejounte Murray

I am sorry in advance for playing into the Kawh-ype. This idea assumes that the Spurs are fighting to keep Leonard rather than seeking to trade him (since, you know, he’s a top-5 player, and you cannot trade top-5 players successfully).

I am a true believer in Kemba’s abilities as an offensive star, so I think this trade shoots the Spurs instantly back into the top-5 team conversation. Leonard, Aldridge, and Walker would be a devastating trio on both ends of the court.

I think it’s worth a thought if I’m the Spurs. Otherwise, I’m left with an aging Aldridge and a developing Murray. I think Murray turns out to be a really good starting PG one day, but if I can make a move to keep talented players around Kawhi while I try to mend the burnt fences in that relationship, I have to pull the trigger.

Next: Why Tony Parker will thrive off of the bench

So, as you can see, there isn’t really any compelling reason or practical way for the Charlotte Hornets to move off of the franchise player. Rather, they need to keep Kemba’s talent and leadership as the exciting young players like Malik Monk and Miles Bridges develop under a new coach in the next era for the team. Simple, right?

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