Report: Knicks hesitant to engage in talks with Hornets about Walker

The Charlotte Hornets may be looking to send their star point guard, Kemba Walker, to his home state of New York, according to ESPN's Ian Begley.

The Hornets are pursuing a "good young player or a first-round draft pick," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday. The Knicks have available draft picks, as well as rookie point guard Frank Ntilikina, but there are no signs New York is willing to trade either.

The Knicks looked to be a potential playoff team to start the season, but have played poorly over the past month. One of the causes is the lack of support for Kristaps Porzingis. Despite the opportunity to get Porzingis an All-Star caliber player by his side, the Knicks are holding up trade talks with the Hornets due to their unwillingness to part ways with either Ntilikina or a high draft pick.

Walker has been great this season, averaging 21.7 points and 5.8 assists. However, the Hornets have been a disappointment, going 18-25 to start the season.

The point guard still has two years and $24 million remaining on his deal, and becomes a free agent in 2019.