Kemba understands business side of Hornets' low-ball offer
Kemba Walker said all the right things about wanting to remain a member of the Charlotte Hornets before the team refused to meet his contract demands.
The All-Star point guard qualified for a five-year, $221-million super-max deal with the team but was offered just $160 million over five seasons, leading to him joining the Boston Celtics on a four-year, $142-million contract. However, Walker admits he sees why the Hornets made him a low-ball offer.
"It's not disappointing because I understand the business side of things," Walker said, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania. "I'm not mad at (Hornets owner Michael Jordan) or the organization for anything. I understand it. You have to look at both sides at the end of the day. Could MJ have went over the luxury tax? Yeah, he could have. But why?
"At the end of the day, you have to see both sides of it. That's what helped me wrap my head around not being around Charlotte anymore. I loved Charlotte. I had to shift my mindset more as free agency got close."
Walker's new situation allows him the opportunity to play for one of the Eastern Conference's top teams after spending his entire career trying to fight for a playoff spot in Charlotte. The Celtics have reached the postseason in each of the past five years, whereas the Hornets have made the playoffs just twice since drafting Walker in 2011.
"I haven't wrapped my mind around contending at this high level," Walker said. "It doesn't even sound right. I've been with the Hornets for eight years, and maybe one time we had some expectations. Maybe just one season - seven-, six-seed or something."
The 29-year-old averaged a career-best 25.6 points to go with 5.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds while appearing in all 82 games last season.