NBA Rumors: Hornets Guard Could Be That Second Superstar Teams Are Looking For

The New York Knicks are expected to scour the NBA free agent market for the best available talent with the names of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant leading the pack. However, the Gotham-based squad needs to expand their options – particularly at the point – to make sure they fill in that playmaker opening with the right guy. If not Uncle Drew, there is Kemba Walker to consider.

But as mentioned in a previous post, landing Walker may seem like a long shot. The 29-year-old has spent all his eight seasons with the Hornets and the 9^th overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft had already said that his priority is the Michael Jordan-owned franchise. Unless something inevitable happens, the Knicks may be better off looking at other free agents to fill in their backcourt void.

Even if Walker for some reason ends up leaving the Hornets, pundits feel that New York holds little chances of successfully snagging him in the NBA offseason, SNY reported. There are other teams who could thrive with the addition of the three-time NBA All-Star. Among those linked to Walker include the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks - two teams who are equally determined to beef up their backcourt rotation.

For the Knicks, adding a known name to the mix next NBA season may somehow tilt the tide. Anthony Davis remains an option for New York although they lack the resources the Pelicans would want. Durant, on the other hand, could be eased out of the picture after the one-time NBA MVP suffered an Achilles injury that is reportedly different from the calf strain per Golden State Warriors president Bob Myers.

Hence, the Knicks pursuit of Walker may not be totally closed. If something were to be pitched right now, the former Huskies player could easily opt to stay with the Hornets and hope to get some added help for the 2019-20 NBA season. Comparing his current team with the Knicks, there is no doubt that Charlotte is a tad better in terms of team composition for next season. The Hornets finished the 2018-19 NBA season with a 39-43 win-loss record while the Knicks ended their campaign 17-65. If Kemba is to factor in a team’s need for improvement, there is no question the Hornets (or any other team that courts him) would have to be an NBA playoff contender at the least.