By Josh Clark and Mike Fisher
DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - Kemba Walker, the biggest free agent tied to the Dallas Mavericks thus far, spoke to reporters today about his impending free agency.
According to Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer, Walker reiterated that the Hornets are his first priority but it doesn't mean it's automatic he'll stay in Charlotte.
"How can they not be?' Walker said about Charlotte being his first priority. "I don't understand how they can not be my first priority. I've been here eight years. They were the team that drafted me.
"I don't know if I'll sign back with them. I'm not sure. But they are my first priority."
Walker said he plans to meet with other teams when free agency begins on June 30 and will trust his Dallas-friendly agent Jeff Schwartz. That's good news to the ears of Mavericks fans, 105.3 The Fan's Mike Fisher says.
"If it doesn't work out (with the Hornets), I'm definitely prepared to play somewhere else. But I'd love to be in Charlotte."
Walker is on Dallas' wish list. (As he has been in offseasons and trade deadlines many times before.) Is he the "perfect'' solution''? No. But the Mavs do not see great problems in pairing him with Doncic, as while he's a "scoring point guard'' he's also an unselfish distributor and what coach Rick Carlisle would call "Our Kind of Guy.'' And Luka/KP/Kemba is a legit "Big 3.'' ... meaning a big step.
#Mavs FA target Kemba Walker today saying lovely things about staying w CHA while also noting 1) his June 30 plan to meet w other suitors and 2) his reliance on advice of agent Schwartz. Good #MFFL news pic.twitter.com/WJ09tJaEIT
— mike fisher ✭ (@fishsports) June 13, 2019The 29-year-old did add a tidbit of surprising information when he was asked if he'd accept less salary to help the Hornets build around him?
"Yeah I would take less," Walker said, via Nick Carboni of WCNC. "Sure, why not? I would take less."
Walker was voted to the ALL-NBA third team, meaning that he's now eligible to receive a five-year contract extension worth about $221 million from the Hornets if he opts to stay in Charlotte. The Hornets could have offered him about $30 million less if he wasn't selected and failed to earn the criteria for the largest possible contract.
Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak previously said the team plans to do everything they can to keep the three-time All-Star. Charlotte doesn't have to offer Walker the super-max, and could simply offer him a five-year, $190 million deal he could have received even if he didn't make an All-NBA team.
So what does this mean for the Mavericks and other teams who wish to court Walker this offseason? Should Walker leave Charlotte, he'd only be able to sign a four-year, $141 million deal. A difference of one year and $80 million. That sounds like a big mountain of cash for the Mavs to overcome, but Fish cautions that it puts Charlotte in a tough spot, as well.
Kemba isn't Dallas' only target, of course. But the Mavs' attraction to him, combined with the fact he's represented by Schwartz, combined with some realities of what the likes of Kevin Durant will say when Dallas calls (that is, "No'') merits study of the situation on our part ... and on the Mavs' part.
