NBA Trade Rumors: Should the Cleveland Cavaliers target Kemba Walker?

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 5: Kemba Walker
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 5: Kemba Walker /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers need star power, and this offseason, should they be targeting the Charlotte Hornets star point guard Kemba Walker.

In Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals, LeBron James dropped 51 points for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and they lost. At that moment, both James and the management were shown the long-standing truth in the clearest light: James needs help.

Can Kemba Walker be that help?

With one of the biggest offseasons in team history staring them in the face (assuming they succumb to the Warriors in the 2018 NBA Finals), Cleveland must find a way to retain LeBron James if they have any interest in being relevant next season.

There are a few reasons why this could work, but before that, let’s get into why Cleveland should target Walker.

Walker, who has played on an under-achieving Hornets team for the entirety of his career, needs a new home. Last season, he’s averaged 22.1 points per game and 2.9 threes per game. Along with becoming a significantly better shooter, Walker has proven to be a leader.

A 2x all-star with three straight 20+ point seasons under his belt, it’s a shame that Walker hasn’t made the playoffs in two seasons. During his two trips to the postseason, his Hornets were knocked out after the first round both times.

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In Walker’s first postseason appearance, it was James’ Heat that swept him clear out of the playoffs, winning three of their four games by double figures.

Walker deserves better, and with James, he would have better.

As for Walker, could he be a better sidekick to James? After all, as the team’s only star, Walker put up 22.1 points per game while Irving hit just 20.8 before James came to Cleveland.

In a deal like this, there’s more at stake for Cleveland with James’ decision pending, but for Charlotte, their future is at stake. They need an in-tact future.

Here’s the proposal.

You trade Cedi Osman, George Hill, and the 8th pick for Kemba Walker, but before you do it, you get a clear commitment from James to stay in Cleveland for at least one more season.

The Hornets denied talks of trading Walker earlier this season when rumors were spread, but with the No. 8 looking better and better as the draft gets deeper, the future of the Hornets around possibly Trae Young, Malik Monk, MKG, and others would start to take form.

The East is only getting more competitive, and if the Hornets hold onto Walker until he’s allowed to walk, they restart their process. Just like the 76ers, they must trust the process, and their process might not include Walker.

That said, Cleveland would be dishing out a solid young player in Osman, a potential superstar in Trae Young or Wendell Carter Jr., and then a capable point guard in George Hill. Along with clearing an uncomfortable contract in Hill, they’d be getting away with a steal.

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Cleveland couldn’t offer much more, and on the current market, Charlotte might not get a better offer. This offer works well if James is willing to commit to Cleveland AND Charlotte has their eye on a player out of their reach with the No. 11 pick.