CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Money alone won't get it done; the Charlotte Hornets must show Kemba Walker how they're going to win if they expect him not to depart in free agency.
In July, Walker becomes an unrestricted free agent. That's the first, and potentially only, time he'll have such control over his NBA career path. Wherever Walker chooses, his next contract is sure to pay him far in excess of $100 million. He made it clear Thursday that compensation alone won't drive this process.
"I want to win; I want to win," Walker said during player interviews after the Hornets season ended Wednesday with a loss to the Orlando Magic. The Hornets missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season.
Walker was asked Thursday about a comment he made during the season about what Hornets management must do to retain him. Walker told ESPN's Rachel Nichols, "They know."
What did he mean, and has the front office responded?
"I don't think it's started yet," Walker said of the Hornets proving they can surround him with sufficient talent. "I think now the work begins for those guys. They'll figure it out."
