Grantland.com article about Walker extension/options

[CarolinaSock]

Thought some folks here might find this interesting. Looks at his potential and the positives/negatives of locking him up with a reasonable deal, overpay, or letting walk.

http://Grantland.com/The-triangle/kemba-walker-charlotte-hornets-contract-extension

Edit: forgot link

[TheMaulClaw]

Good link.  Walker is a good player but definitely isn't worth a north of 10mil contract.  If I were the Hornets I wouldn't negotiate an extension with Walker this season unless he agrees to a figure between 8 and 9 million.  Since he'll be a RFA I would let the market dictate what he's worth before making a decision on bringing him back.  Kemba does bring a lot to the table but he also leave a lot off of it. 

 

On defense we've lost every game against a taller point guard and that's what we'll see in the playoffs. 

 

On offense he just can't finish at the rim.  He's probably the best in the league off the dribble and if he could improve his finishing his assist numbers would skyrocket.

 

If bringing in Lance and Marvin create some space for Walker I would just give him an opportunity to show he's worthy of that contract that he wants by playing better on a superior team. 

[pantherfan49]

Should have drafted a PG in the first instead of another SG. Kemba has a lot of positives but his negatives put the ceiling for this team around 50 wins. Another PG on the roster would have either hurt his negotiating position or shown the hornets they can do better and allow kemba to walk.

[bLACKpANTHER]

you all have no idea what good PG play is.. Raymond Felton was the best point guard we had here in the past 20 years.. and now you wanna low ball Our Guy who brought Jefferson and Lance here. the team will reward him with a nice contract for being the only bright spot on the worst team in NBA history.

 

Moving forward he will be excellent as the 3rd option behind Al and Lance. His shot % will go up this year- watch!

[Omega Atrocity]

I would lock him up for around $8 million or $9 million per before the deadline. If he doesn't want that I say let him prove it this year. If he looks amazing then give him what he wants.

[Vagrant]

Slasher scorer that can't shoot particularly well or pass particularly well for a position that demands it. Name your price!

[Carl Spackler]

Here we go

[TheMaulClaw]

you all have no idea what good PG play is.. Raymond Felton was the best point guard we had here in the past 20 years.. and now you wanna low ball Our Guy who brought Jefferson and Lance here. the team will reward him with a nice contract for being the only bright spot on the worst team in NBA history.

 

Moving forward he will be excellent as the 3rd option behind Al and Lance. His shot % will go up this year- watch!

 

He's really great at what he's good at and really bad at what he's bad at.  He's a player of extremes.

 

He still has trouble getting passes over defenders in a pick and roll as well. 

 

Kemba is a very likable player and possesses a rare and unique brand of on the court energy.  If he's smart he'll watch some tape on Tony Parker and try to incorporate some of those elements into his game. 

 

If he can improve his shooting it would go along way in freeing up the lane. 

[Rise of The Hive]

I hope we can afford to keep Kemba.

[cbarrier90]

I would lock him up for around $8 million or $9 million per before the deadline. If he doesn't want that I say let him prove it this year. If he looks amazing then give him what he wants.

 

That's about right, and as the article says, since the talent around him gets better, he's getting cheaper. With Al and Hendo also waiting to come off the books, I expect Cho to play hardball at this juncture simply because we can afford to.

 

If he was 6'3 with his skillset he'd be max worthy, but his height ensures that there will always be some unrealized potential with him, and that's what makes him such a conundrum. I will say the amount of flack he catches on here is ridiculous, but that's because he has been playing on his rookie deal. Considering this franchise's draft history, the ROI they have gotten out of that #9 pick has been great. Obviously, things change when you start attaching post-rookie contracts.

 

If we sign him, the contract better be expendable should Steph hit the market in 2017. That goes for all the contracts on the team.

[FuFuLamePoo]

That's about right, and as the article says, since the talent around him gets better, he's getting cheaper. With Al and Hendo also waiting to come off the books, I expect Cho to play hardball at this juncture simply because we can afford to.

 

If he was 6'3 with his skillset he'd be max worthy, but his height ensures that there will always be some unrealized potential with him, and that's what makes him such a conundrum. I will say the amount of flack he catches on here is ridiculous, but that's because he has been playing on his rookie deal. Considering this franchise's draft history, the ROI they have gotten out of that #9 pick has been great. Obviously, things change when you start attaching post-rookie contracts.

 

If we sign him, the contract better be expendable should Steph hit the market in 2017. That goes for all the contracts on the team.

If we want the slightest chance of getting Steph we better really hope guys like MKG, Vonleh, PJ pan out

[cbarrier90]

LooIf we want the slightest chance of getting Steph we better really hope guys like MKG, Vonleh, PJ pan out

 

Not necessarily. With the year-to-year fluidity of NBA rosters, especially those waiting for a potential free agent class, the roster headed into the 2017 offseason could be an entire new team. We are three years removed from the worst regular season record of all time and the expectation for this roster is the playoffs. 

 

A willingness to spend and spend wisely, consistency, and a vision for the organization going forward are what attracts free agents.

[FuFuLamePoo]

Not necessarily. With the year-to-year fluidity of NBA rosters, especially those waiting for a potential free agent class, the roster headed into the 2017 offseason could be an entire new team. We are three years removed from the worst regular season record of all time and the expectation for this roster is the playoffs. 

 

A willingness to spend and spend wisely, consistency, and a vision for the organization going forward are what attracts free agents.

this is true.  it's gonna be interesting to see what happens.  but honestly i think the player we could have to pay big money is MKG..... call me crazy but I'm still REALLY high on him.  all he needs is a respectable shot

[IamSoClutch]

I don't want to really lock him up long term because we all know step curry wants to come home.

Big Al, Curry, Lance = championship core

Can't miss out on that for Kemba