The Charlotte Hornets are apparently looking for an experienced point guard and have some prominent names in mind – including ex-franchise star Kemba Walker.
This is reported by Shams Charania (The Athletic). According to his information, the Hornets are considering a return campaign for the 32-year-old, who recently disappointed at the New York Knicks due to injury concerns.
Walker is currently under contract with the Detroit Pistons after New York traded him on draft night to save on his salary ($9.2 million for next season). The Pistons are expected to buy him out of his contract.
Should the point guard come onto the market, the Hornets, who brought him into the association in 2011 as the 9th pick, could probably strike. Walker spent his first eight NBA years in Charlotte, where he matured into an All-Star and franchise star. After moving to the Celtics, he once again made the All-Star Team (a total of four nominations) before suffering knee problems.
Throughout his career, Kemba has 19.5 points and 5.3 assists, but this past season he was a shadow of his former days (11.6 points and 3.5 assists in just 37 appearances). In Charlotte, he could potentially provide backup for LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier.
NBA rumours: Hornets interested in Isaiah Thomas too?
In addition to Walker, the Hornets also have Isaiah Thomas in their sights, according to Charania. The former MVP candidate, whose career was also halted by injury, already played 17 games for Charlotte last season (8.3 points and 1.4 assists at 43.3 percent FG and 39.7 percent three-pointers).
He is said to have won over the franchise both as a sport and as a positive influence on the dressing room. The 33-year-old’s contract expired at the end of the season, and Thomas is currently an unrestricted free agent.
