It’s not a guarantee that he’ll stay with the Hornets, but Kemba Walker is serving as Charlotte’s unofficial host for All-Star Weekend, writes Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. “Welcome everyone to my city!” Walker tweeted today as a greeting to the thousands of visitors headed to Charlotte for three days of festivities.
“This city has embraced me so much over the years,” Walker said. “Allowed me to be who I am. Allowed me to play through my mistakes early in my career, to become the player I am today. The fans have just been top notch, and I respect that because we haven’t been a top organization, haven’t gone to the playoffs every year. … Through that, they still embrace us, still embrace me. You have to respect that.”
Walker, who holds nearly every franchise scoring record, will be one of the hottest names on this year’s free agent market. A three-time All-Star, he is in the middle of his most productive season, averaging career highs with 25.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists per night. Despite Walker’s affection for Charlotte, Bonnell states that it’s hard to predict what will happen this summer.
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- Heat guard Goran Dragic is “making a lot of progress” after having knee surgery in December, but coach Erik Spoelstra tells Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald there’s still no timetable for his return. Miami has been expecting him to be ready soon after the All-Star break. In the same story, Spoelstra says Ryan Anderson, who has only played two minutes since being acquired from the Suns, is ready for a larger role if needed.
- Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac, both top six selections in the 2017 draft, have a chance to prove themselves with the Magic after battling injuries early in their careers, notes Roy Parry of The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando’s front office believes Fultz, who was acquired from the Sixers last week, can become a standout point guard because of his strength, explosiveness, court vision and playmaking.
- Wizards center Thomas Bryant reached starter criteria this week by starting his 41st game of the season, tweets ESPN’s Bobby Marks. The qualifying offer for the upcoming free agent has been increased to $3MM and Washington’s cap hold has been raised as well. Dwight Howard was supposed to be the starting center after signing with the Wizards last summer, but Bryant seized the opportunity when Howard was injured.
kemba to the knicks next year
AD, Kyrie, Durant to NY.
Kemba to Boston, who should’ve traded Kyrie in a package for AD.
Or if Lakers somehow pull off AD, can write either Kyrie or Kawhi into LA’s lineup.
In which case you’d be right. Kemba to NY along with say, Tyreek Evans and Ed Davis?
writing’s on the wall. kyrie re-signs, AD to celts, butler to lakers, kwahi to clips, durant to knicks/celts/warriors, gasol to char – toronto fires ujiri
That writing is invisible bro. Kyrie is GONE!
Davis won’t stay in Boston unless Kyrie is there…but I agree they should have traded him before he leaves….also Boston doesn’t have cap space for max for Kemba
I hope KW gets a max (or even super max) deal from the Hornets and takes it. He’s a terrific player, already an MSG legend and would not be phased by playing here. I just don’t think he’s a guy that you give a 30% max contract to for the next 4 years. I fear he’s close enough, that the stooges, after striking out with the truly elite guys, will try to pass off as a win. He’ll likely play well enough at first, but his age, size, isolation tendencies and uneven distance shooting will eventually make him a bad contract.
I don’t think he would turn out to be a bad contract if the Knicks made a move for him, but he’s got to be plan B for them, and either another star needs to come, or they have to hold that additional cap space to the following year.
Dwight Howard? Made of glass