- Report: Cavs conducting pre-draft workouts with numerous players projected as late picks or free agents
- Cavs news: Isaac Okoro named to All-Rookie Second Team
- Taurean Prince expresses shock over Kevin Durant’s All-NBA snub after dominant playoff performance
- Richard Jefferson highlights how LeBron James doesn’t get same media love as Kawhi Leonard
- Dan Gilbert gained the most money ‘by far’ on updated list of richest sports owners
- Report: LeBron James ‘still’ believes Cavs could’ve won 2015 finals with healthy Kyrie Irving
- 3 players the Cavs need to target in the upcoming free agent class
- Report: Some NBA executives believe Jarrett Allen could be pursued by Hornets and Mavericks
- Report: T.J. McConnell and Alex Caruso are both on Cavs’ list of potential targets in free agency
- Taurean Prince questions Giannis Antetokounmpo for not guarding Kevin Durant in playoffs
Cavs Rumors: Latest Update on Cleveland’s Chances of Acquiring Kemba Walker
- Updated: June 28, 2018
The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to search for ways to upgrade their team, with Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker one particular target that’s held their attention for an extended period. However, in the opinion of ESPN insider Brian Windhorst, the opportunity to acquire Walker no longer exists.
@WindhorstESPN on Cavs acquiring Kemba Walker: "I think that door has closed"
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 28, 2018
Without actually admitting it publicly, it’s clear that the Cleveland front office was making this effort as a way to entice its most prominent free agent, LeBron James, to re-sign with the team. James will undoubtedly be entering the free-agent market when it opens up for business on Sunday.
Last year, the 28-year-old Walker was seen as a potential option when the Cavaliers were under the gun to deal away Kyrie Irving. That potential deal never materialized, but the struggles of the team throughout the season at point guard were clearly evident, with veteran George Hill added in a midseason trade.
More recently, the Cavaliers reportedly considered including their first-round pick in the NBA draft in an attempt to acquire Walker. That also never happened, though the Cavs could conceivably trade that pick, University of Alabama guard Collin Sexton, after a 60-day moratorium period on dealing him ends in late August.
The problem is that the Hornets would be asking for more players, presumably younger and with team-friendly contracts. That would rule out trading players like J.R. Smith or Hill, with the Cavs also lacking any draft-friendly picks in the next few years.
Last season, in his seventh NBA season, Walker averaged of 22.1 points, 5.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds, while also collecting 1.3 steals per game. Those numbers would be welcome in the Cavaliers’ lineup, but if Windhorst’s information is accurate, this fantasy become a moot point.
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