The Charlotte Hornets have reportedly made Kemba Walker available ahead of the trade deadline, but unlike some other players stuck on scuffling teams, the franchise point guard says he'd far prefer to stick around.
"I would definitely be devastated if I was to get traded," Walker said recently, according to NBC's Dan Feldman. "I do want to be here."
Walker has spent his entire seven-year career in Charlotte, averaging 18.6 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.4 steals, and making his first All-Star Game last season. But the Hornets/Bobcats have made just two playoff appearances in that time, losing in the first round on both occasions. At 18-25 this season, they're headed for the lottery once again, and seemingly trying to get ahead of the curve by offering up Walker while he still has an additional year left on his team-friendly contract.
Asked about the latest batch of rumors after shootaround Friday, Walker was less hyperbolic, but reiterated that he would be less than thrilled to get shipped out.
"I mean, of course," he told reporters. "I've never been in that situation; I don't know what it feels like. It's kind of new to me. But yeah, I'd be pretty upset.
"I'm here right now, I put my heart and soul into this team and this city. So, that's what I'm going to do until everything is over."
Further complicating the picture for Walker is that he's in the process of building a new house in Charlotte. He said he hasn't talked to the Hornets' front office about the trade rumors and that it isn't his place to do so, but it's easy to understand why he'd have reservations about uprooting his life.
"This is where I got my opportunity," he said. "Seven years in now. I do a lot with the community, of course. I've gotten to know a lot of the fans, and a lot of the fans have a lot of love for me. Of course I'm going to be tied to this place. This is kind of where I've grown up. This is definitely home."
Despite all the uncertainty, with a decision about his NBA home seemingly out of his hands, Walker insisted he won't be distracted and is focused on trying to lead the Hornets to the playoffs.
"I'm a pro, man. This is what I do," he said. "I play basketball, and I go hard each and every day, regardless of what's going on in my life. I never bring it to the basketball court."
