Mark Stein discussed Kemba Walker being on the trading block on Monday's Dunc'd On podcast. The Knicks were at the top of their list. Maybe something like Ntilikina, Thomas and the Knicks 1st with some protection for Walker.
Something I could definitely see happening, but why would the Knicks want to give up Ntilikina? They seem very high on him, and I think him and KP would be the perfect duo to match up next to each other age-wise. The two could be a deadly one two punch in the future.
My main issue with Walker, Thomas, and Irving/Lillard is that they never really seem to be above average passers. They make the right play, and make the right pass most of the time, but they never really seem to get other players involved to an extent where their numbers are clearly progressively improved due to their ability to play make.
The Hornets have no reason to trade Kemba unless they get a good return. Ntilikina was drafted by Jackson not the current regime so their commitment to him may not be that strong.
If I'm the Knicks, I'd first try to include dumping Noah as part of the trade but I didn't see anything realistic that the Hornets would accept.
Charlotte is not as bad as a team as their record suggests. Maybe it's partly the coach who's to blame, but to blow it up and trade your best player in this situation is pretty ballsy. On the other hand there's a clear ceiling on what that team can achieve (first round playoffs), due to having some very expensive contracts.
I would only trade Walker if I got good value in return. He's a (borderline) All Star and on a good contract. To make this publicly makes it harder to withdraw from negotations and resign him next year (and keep him as face of the franchise). On the other hand, now it's in the open the Hornets might be able to get teams to bid against each other. Even though the league is full with excellent guards, there could be several teams with serious interest for Walker.
If you look at the team at first glance there doesn't seem to be much value elsewhere and it doesn't make sense to trade a rookie like Monk. Some big contracts for Batum, Howard, Williams, Kidd-Gilchrist and C. Zeller, which don't look appealing in a vacuum. However, these players might not be great, they're not garbage either. Howard for instance, quietly has a very productive season. I think Zeller is undervalued so if I were the Hornets I would keep him.
Let's look at some opportunities for Charlotte to make some great trades for the future. Who are teams that should be looking for immediate improvement? And what needs to they have?
1. Cleveland: Thomas looks to be a bad fit on the team, especially defensively. Walker is a sure thing as being able to fill the role as starting PG. To make further improvements defensively they may be interested in Howard and offloading some bad contracts in the process. Brooklyn pick is the main piece they have to offer.
2. New York: They have a young point guard with Ntilikina with great potential, but it will take some years to develop him. Right now they're in a playoff race and the team could make a big step forward if they had an elite guard with Walker. That would take pressure of Porzingis as well. The Knicks also need wings. Batum or Kidd-Gilchrist would provide a solution for SF. Then they would get rid of Noah.
3. Denver: Another team that is looking to make the playoffs. Join Walker with Millsap and Jokic and you certainly have an interesting looking core there. Murray is the price to pay. They will also be interested in a team to take on Faried as salary filler as he's hardly getting playing time. He actually is a good player that the Hornets could easily pick up.
4. Philadelphia: The weird case of Markelle Fultz could even get weirder if he was traded in his first season in the NBA after only playing 76 minutes. The 76ers might have enough with these struggles and rather get a point guard who's guaranteed to give a high level of play and also some experience. If they're worried of sharing the ball handling duties with Simmons. Why did they make a big trade to be able to draft a PG in the first place?
5. Utah: This summer they traded for a new PG with Ricky Rubio. That is not really working with his assist number way down from previous years. He's not a scoring presence either like Walker. A back court with Walker and Mitchell would be great for that franchise. Then they finally have the PG they've been longing for years. The Jazz could offer the bird rights of Hood, Exum and some cap relief.
In another topic I'll do a proposal for a full blow up of the team by Charlotte. That involves Cleveland, New York and New Orleans. Let me know what you think!