Kemba Walker Trade Rumors: Hornets Star 'Could Be in Play for the Cavs'

The Cleveland Cavaliers could reportedly be in the mix to trade for Charlotte Hornets All-Star guard Kemba Walker.

According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, Walker "could be in play" for the Cavs, provided they try to entice LeBron James to re-sign by adding accomplished veterans.

Vardon seemed to suggest that a trade for Walker could involve Cleveland's No. 8 overall selection in the 2018 NBA draft.

The 28-year-old Walker has been named an All-Star in each of the past two seasons, and he is coming off a 2017-18 campaign that saw him average 22.1 points, 5.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 43.1 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from three-point range.

Walker has spent his seven-year NBA career in Charlotte, but he is set to enter the final season of his contract.

The former UConn standout isn't an exact copy of Boston Celtics and former Cavs guard Kyrie Irving, but they play similar styles, and it stands to reason that acquiring Walker could intrigue LeBron.

Although James had a fantastic season in 2017-18, the absence of another capable ball-handler was a detriment to the Cavs. Walker would alleviate some of that pressure, and he would be the third All-Star Cleveland needs alongside James and Kevin Love.

Trading for Walker would represent a huge risk, though.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski (h/t Sagar Trika of Blazer's Edge) reported James likely won't decide where he's signing until July, which means a Walker deal would be done without knowing LeBron's status.

The trade would be worth it if it keeps James in Cleveland, but if he signs elsewhere, it would leave the Cavs with a 28-year-old player in the final year of his contract rather than a rookie who may have aided in a rebuild.