Face of All-Star Game has uncertain future
Charlotte both city, team for Walker
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Kemba Walker is the face of an NBA franchise, a city and All-Star Weekend.
The Hornets’ point guard is making his first All-Star start in the city and arena of his home team. He is the unofficial host of this weekend’s festivities.
“It’s great for the city, great for the community,” Walker told USA TODAY. “I’m excited. This city is excited. It’s about time we got an event like this here in Charlotte.
“Charlotte means a lot to me. This city has embraced me, allowed me to be who I am, allowed me to grow as a man. I just love the city. This team drafted me, believed in me when I was young.”
Walker is having a career year. He is averaging 25.2 points, 5.7 assists and 4.4 rebounds and is shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 36.7 percent on three-pointers. He’s the reason the seventh-place Hornets are poised to make the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time since 2016 and just the third time since Walker was drafted in 2011.
“Everything I’ve seen so far this season, he’s trusting his teammates,” Hornets coach James Borrego said. “That trust is going to make us a better team, not only now but in the future. That’s not easy when you’ve carried the load for so long. You feel like you have to deliver every game.
“But he understands to win this league, you need other people to step up. People step up best when they’re trusted and valued, and that’s what Kemba is striving toward.”
Free agent after season
Walker’s season and All-Star Weekend are set against the backdrop of a larger issue: Walker will be a free agent this summer. Are we watching the final games of his career with Charlotte?
By all accounts, the Hornets want to re-sign him. Hornets owner Michael Jordan was complimentary of his AllStar on Tuesday. “Having Kemba as an All-Star gives me great pleasure because I always believed this kid was an All-Star, and he has proven that three years in a row and this year by being a starter,” Jordan told reporters. “He represents the city very well and the organization very well. I am very proud, even though it may not look like it, of Kemba Walker from day one. We drafted him. Always thought there was something special about this kid. I still believe that.”
Now, they must be willing to pay to keep him. Walker, who at 28 is in the prime of his career, will command a lucrative contract. If Walker makes AllNBA this season, the Hornets can offer him a five-year, $221 million super-max contract. If he’s not All-NBA, the Hornets still can offer big money: five years and $189.6 million.
Another team can offer him a max four-year, $140.6 million contract, and if the Knicks miss out on Kyrie Irving in free agency, don’t be surprised if they go after Walker, a New York City native.
Walker will hit unrestricted free agency for the first time. “I don’t know how it goes,” he said. “Me and my agent will sit down and get it right.”
It appears he has plans to stay. He recently bought land on which to build a home outside of Charlotte.
“I feel like it’s a normal life for me. “I’m never overwhelmed here whenever I do want to get out of the house — walk around, walk around the mall, be me. That’s what I love the most.”
Charlotte is ‘his city’
By all accounts, Walker also is a great teammate. Borrego calls him inclusive regardless of title in the organization or status on the roster.
“He wants guys to feel a part of this team and this city,” Borrego said. “He understands where he is in the organization. He understands the responsibility that comes with that. No matter the young guys or coaches coming in, he’s welcomed them and embraced them. It puts everybody at ease to say, ‘I belong and I’m a part of it.’ That’s just Kemba’s spirit.”
When the Hornets signed Marvin Williams in 2014, Walker reached out.
“He’s one of the coolest dudes I’ve ever met,” Williams said. “He and I developed a relationship from day one. He was very welcoming. He’s been that same guy for five years. I’m sure he was that guy before, and I’m pretty sure he’ll be that guy going forward.”
Veteran guard Tony Parker made a surprising decision in the offseason to sign with Charlotte and be Walker’s backup point guard. Parker won four titles with San Antonio and a EuroBasket championship with France and one day will be in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Parker noticed right away Walker’s willingness to learn. “He was asking questions and wanted to get better,” he said. “He wants to become the best he can be and go as far as he can go.”
“I know I have to score for this team,” Walker said. “But I just try to read the game as best as I can and take the shots that are given to me.”
Earlier this season, in a 43-point performance against Boston — the game after his 60-point night — Walker yelled “This is my city!” after he made a threepointer to put the game away.
“It was just the emotions of the game,” Walker said. “I don’t know the last time we beat Boston before that. I was in the moment really.”
How much longer will Charlotte still be Walker’s city?