Charlotte Hornets: 4 keys to watch out for after All-Star break

Charlotte Hornets Kemba Walker (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets Kemba Walker (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornets Kemba Walker (Photo by Ben McKeown/NBAE via Getty Images)

Give Kemba Walker a reason to re-sign

It’s hard not to think about Kemba Walker‘s upcoming free agency. You want to focus on the season, but with a potential franchise changing moment looming, multiple scenarios play out in your head.

The Hornets would, of course, love to keep Walker in town. The goal has always been to re-sign him and build a playoff team around him. They haven’t accomplished that goal yet, but we should have a better idea about the subject in the next few months.

Walker has done so much for this franchise, despite the lack of success. Him bolting in free agency would be devastating for the fans, but it would signal a complete rebuild.

Rebuilding is always a tough thing to do. Team Owner Michael Jordan has made it clear that he wants to build a winning team. Making the playoffs and locking up Walker long-term will be a good first step into building a perennial winner.

If Charlotte makes the playoffs, I think it increases the chances of Kemba re-signing. If Charlotte doesn’t make the playoffs, I can see it leaving a sour taste in his mouth, which would not be ideal. Time will tell if Kemba’s future remains in Charlotte, or with a different team.