The Charlotte Hornets haven’t been super active in free agency, but they did just make a huge addition. Franchise legend Kemba Walker is joining Charles Lee’s staff as a player enhancement coach.
Walker just recently announced his retirement, but he’s right back in the game. He’ll be helping the team that he helped make relevant again get back to that point.
In his 12 years in the league, Walker crossed paths with a ton of different players, some of whom are still playing in the NBA today. But could any of them help the current Hornets? Would their connection to Walker and desire to help a young team make them want to sign on board?
Here are five free agency targets the Hornets should consider who have connections to Walker.
1. Daniel Theis
As of now, the Hornets have a very, very young team, and adding a veteran presence to the mix would be a nice move. Perhaps Daniel Theis could help them out.
Walker and Theis played together on the Boston Celtics, and the big man’s veteran experience, quality defense, and hard screens would be very useful for this Charlotte roster.
2. Michael Carter-Williams
In a similar vein to the idea of adding Theis, Michael Carter-Williams would give the Hornets a veteran presence at the guard position. His defense and intensity could give them a boost.
As for his connection to Walker, Carter-Williams played with the Hornets legend on the Hornets during the 2017-18 season, so if he were to sign, it would be his second stint in Charlotte.
3. Javonte Green
Whether or not Javonte Green would get many minutes with the Charlotte Hornets is a real question, but he has the outline of a player who could help them, especially by playing hard defense and being a lob threat.
Like Daniel Theis, Green played with Kemba Walker on the Boston Celtics. That was Green’s first chance in the NBA prior to joining the Chicago Bulls.
At 30 years old, Green doesn’t have as much NBA experience as guys who entered the league as teenagers, but he could give the Hornets a nice energy boost on both ends of the court.
4. Lance Stephenson
For the past two seasons, the Indiana Pacers have brought James Johnson on board. He’s been a veteran presence in the locker room for them, giving them an extra oomph. Maybe Lance Stephenson could be that for this Hornets tea.
Stephenson played 41 games for the Hornets during the 2014-15 season, which is when he was teammates with Walker.
Throughout the course of his 10-year NBA career, Stephenson has made a name for himself due to his incessant energy and on-court antics. If he’s interested in being a mentor, the 33-year-old wing would be a fun addition to this CHarlotte squad.
5. Kevin Knox
This is by far the most out-of-left-field idea on this list. Most of the people getting suggested would be veteran presences for the Hornets, but Kevin Knox would be a developmental project.
Kemba Walker and Knox played together on the New York Knicks, and while Walker’s time with the blue and orange didn’t work out, he was still teammates with some solid players.
Unfortunately, Knox wasn’t necessarily one of those guys. But Charlotte is planning for the future. Knox was a lottery pick for a reason, and he’s still only 24 years old, so if the Hornets feel like taking a flier, he wouldn’t be a bad one.
6. JaVale McGee
Vibes. Just vibes. That would be the reason the Hornets would consider bringing JaVale McGee on board, and it’s a role that he’s played plenty of times in the NBA.
Walker played with McGee during his very brief stint with the Dallas Mavericks during the 2022-23 season. They only appeared in seven games together.
Having a fun veteran like McGee around to help the Hornets’ young core would be a nice way to keep the vibes high, as long as McGee is okay playing that part. Hopefully, he could stay off of Shaqtin’ a Fool.