Report: Hornets putting Kemba Walker, veteran core on trade block
The Charlotte Hornets appear to be contemplating a large-scale rebuild.
The team has reportedly made franchise cornerstone Kemba Walker and most of his veteran teammates available for trade in hopes of shedding at least one other major contract, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Wing Nicolas Batum, former perennial Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard, and former No. 2 picks Marvin Williams and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist are also available. Each is owed an eight-figure salary through at least 2018-19, with the contracts of Batum ($99.1 million over four seasons) and Howard ($47.3 million through 2018-19) the largest outstanding commitments currently on the books.
Walker's below-market deal - he'll make just $12 million next season before hitting unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2019 - could make him one of the most sought-after trade targets leading up to the Feb. 8 deadline.
With little hope of contention in the near future and a waning possibility of making the playoffs this spring with teams like the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Indiana Pacers on the rise, dumping salary and netting controllable assets would help alleviate one of the league's most hamstrung cap sheets. The Hornets currently boast the ninth-most expensive roster in the Association, per Spotrac, but despite their hefty investment in their current core, the team is sitting on a disappointing 18-25 record and the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference.
In 41 appearances this season, Walker has averaged 21.7 points on 42.4 percent shooting with 5.8 assists per game.