The Charlotte Hornets have underwhelmed this season, and in the midst of a disappointing season, trade rumors surrounding Kemba Walker are getting louder. Walker, whom the Hornets drafted in the first round in 2011, has openly stated that he would rather stay and continue to build in Charlotte.
After reports surfaced the Hornets were looking to move the point guard, Walker said that he would be “devastated” if he was traded.
In an interview with the Charlotte Observer, Hornets majority owner Michael Jordan was adamant he would not look to deal Walker this season. Jordan elaborated that he would only listen to trade calls that included getting an All-Star caliber player back in return.
Following from Rick Bonnell,
“We bred him, we chose him, we groomed him to be a good player for us,” Jordan said of Walker, who the Hornets drafted ninth overall in 2011, to a great extent because Jordan saw traits in Walker that reminded him of his own playing career. “I’m not looking to trade Kemba, but I would listen to opportunities.”
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“It’s not like we are shopping him. We would not just give him up. I love Kemba Walker. I would not trade him for anything but an All-Star player.”
In the interview, Jordan is optimistic his team’s ability to turn the season around in time for the postseason.
“Yes, it’s disappointing where we are,” Jordan said, “But I haven’t given up on the season.”
Jordan noted that he wasn’t prepared to “throw Kemba away” just yet. He cited the hard work he feels that Walker has put into the organization as motivation for keeping Kemba.
The Hornets are seven games under .500 at 19-26 and sit in 11th spot in the eastern conference. Injuries to forward Nicolas Batum, and rookie Malik Monk has played a part in the nosedive of the Hornets season.
