A pair of former Celtics point guards may find landing spots in Charlotte this offseason. The Hornets have interest in bringing back Kemba Walker and Isaiah Thomas to fill in a reserve point guard role on their bench this season according to Shams Charania of Stadium.
Walker is on the hunt for a new home in free agency after being bought out by the Detroit Pistons back in June. The Knicks dealt the ex-Celtic to Detroit in a salary dump move in order to clear cap space for new addition Jalen Brunson. Walker gave back part of his $9 million salary to the Pistons in hopes of landing a fresh spot for a competitive squad.
Walker only played in 37 games last season, averaging just 11.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists while dealing with persistent knee issues. He was also benched at times by Tom Thibodeau for his defensive struggles.
Walker played in Charlotte for the first eight years of his career before he was sign-and-traded to Boston in the summer of 2019. The Hornets are in need of a reserve point guard, a role that was filled for part of last season by Isaiah Thomas. The 5-foot-11 point guard averaged 8.3 points per game and shot 39 percent from 3-point range in 17 games with Charlotte.
It’s unlikely the Hornets will have room for both players on their roster for next season given their size limitations so it will be an interesting choice for the franchise to make. The team has not made any notable signings this offseason and will likely be without restricted free agent Miles Bridges for the foreseeable future after his arrest on felony domestic violence charges.
Charlotte also recently re-hired Steve Clifford as head coach after firing James Borrego following a 43-39 season that concluded with an ugly blowout against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the play-in tournament.
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