Kemba Walker Remains on Hornets After NBA Trade Deadline Passes

Despite speculation a deal might happen, Kemba Walker remains a member of the Charlotte Hornets after Thursday's NBA trade deadline.

Per Steve Reed of the Associated Press, the Hornets decided to keep their 27-year-old point guard. 

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the Hornets were open to trading Walker on Jan. 19 in an effort to rid themselves of other bad contracts. 

"Charlotte has been encouraging teams to make offers and appear eager to discuss attaching Walker to a larger trade in which another team would take on one of the Hornets' several far-less-desirable contracts, sources said," Wojnarowski wrote.

The Hornets have been unable to build off of their 48-34 record and playoff appearance during the 2015-16 season. They finished 36-46 last season, and they are currently seven games under .500 (23-30) and on the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. 

One problem facing the Hornets trying to build for the future is their short-term payroll. They have $116.6 million in salary commitments next season, 12th-highest in the NBA, per HoopsHype, 

Walker, who will make $12 million in 2018-19, is one of the few assets on Charlotte's roster able to bring back a reasonable return for the franchise to avoid rebuilding the entire roster. The 27-year-old is averaging 22.6 points and 5.8 assists per game this season. 

The Hornets are the only organization Walker has ever known since being drafted ninth overall in 2011. He even admitted when the trade rumors started percolating that leaving Charlotte would be difficult. 

"I would definitely be devastated if I was to get traded," he said, via Dan Feldman of Pro Basketball Talk. 

The Hornets could have a lottery draft pick to add an impact player alongside Walker if they don't make the postseason. 

With Walker still in the prime of his career, the Hornets will move forward by trying to build a team around him. They could potentially engage in trade discussions over the summer, but for now, he will stay in Charlotte.