The Charlotte Hornets would like to negotiate a Kemba Walker trade with the New York Knicks. Could the Bronx native return to New York City?
The New York Knicks are rapidly approaching a trade deadline that will alter the trajectory of the organization. Whether the Knicks commit to tanking or making a push for the postseason, it’s expected that the franchise will be an active participant in the deadline festivities.
As the organization weighs its options, acquiring an All-Star point guard has surfaced as a viable and realistic possibility.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN recently reported that the Charlotte Hornets are actively attempting to trade star point guard Kemba Walker. Charlotte is reportedly hoping to unload an unfavorable contract and acquire either a promising young talent or a first-round draft pick.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, the Knicks are one of the teams that Charlotte is interested in negotiating with.
"The Charlotte Hornets would like [to] engage the Knicks on trade discussions involving All-Star point guard Kemba Walker but New York and Charlotte haven’t yet had substantive discussions about a trade involving Walker, per league sources."
It’s far from surprising that New York has surfaced as a potential destination for Walker, but it’s interesting to see the Hornets target the Knicks as a potential trade partner.
It’s worth noting that Walker is from the Bronx, which gives him obvious ties to a New York franchise. Thus, it’s within the realm of possibility that the Hornets spoke with Walker, asked him which team he’d like to play for, and learned that New York is near the top of the list.
Considering Walker has led the Hornets out of the darkness and through some of the best seasons in franchise history, reciprocating the loyalty would be an honorable move.
Under those circumstances, it would come as no surprise if Walker decided that a move back to the city he was born and raised in would be the best possible decision.
The Knicks are certain to have interest in an All-Star point guard who’s in the prime of his career at 27 years of age. The steep asking price will be a hurdle, however, as the Knicks would likely need to take on a bad contract and part with either a first-round draft pick or Frank Ntilikina.
It’s possible that the front office will be able to negotiate what they believe to be a fair asking price, but at this stage, all we can do is speculate.
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Nothing is imminent, but there’s a realistic possibility that Kemba Walker could return home and play for the New York Knicks in 2017-18.