CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Kemba Walker is second on the Hornets all-time scoring list, he leads this years team in points, minutes and assists per game, and there's a chance that the Hornets could be looking to trade him.
According to a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Hornets have made Walker available in trade discussions.
Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said he hadn't seen the report when the team's practice ended on Friday afternoon, but when told of the details he called them nothing but rumors.
"I've been in this league 18 years, I could tell you from place to place, five different cities. There's rumors everywhere. I'll tell you the same thing I tell the players is, no one has said anything about it here, and it's a rumor. I don't have any comment on that," Clifford said.
He added that he thinks he would have input in a decision like that.
"I think the same thing everyone else thinks. He's our best player. He's the face of the franchise, and I think it would be very difficult to find a scenario where he would get traded," Clifford explained.
Walker spoke to the media after practice as well, and admitted he'd seen the report prior to coming in Friday.
"This is the first time I've really been in this situation, but what can I do. I'm still here, I've been here the last seven year. I'm going to do what I can do to help my team win games, that's all I can do. I have no control over those kind of things, so I try and keep my mind off of it," Walker said.
The Hornets point guard added that he won't let it be a distraction as they prepare for Saturday night's game against Miami, but admitted a trade would have a pretty big effect on him.
"I'd be pretty upset, but like I said. I'm here right now. I put my heart and soul into this team, and into this city and that's what I'm going to do until this is over," Walker said.
Walker said he had not spoken with the organization about where he stands as he doesn't feel it's his place, but he's made it pretty clear Charlotte is home to him. From building a new house, to giving back to the community, Walker said he hasn't thought about playing or living anywhere but the Queen City.
"This is where I got my opportunity. I've been here for seven years and do a lot with the community. I've gotten to know a lot of the fans. A lot of the fans have a lot of love for me, as well as I got love for them. Of course I'm going to be tied to this place. This is kind of where I've grown up. This is definitely home," Walker said.
While Walker didn't say for certain whether he thought the team was throwing his name out there in potential trades, his teammate was quick to agree with their head coach that it's something they don't believe.
"I can't see that happening," said Hornets shooting guard Nic Batum. "I heard about that this morning, but it's that time of the year, rumors go everywhere and only like five percent of them happen."
Batum said it's a process that the veteran players have become more familiar with as the trade deadline approaches each year. Walker admitted it's a little harder to tune out the rumors when his name is the one circulating, but added he'd have no trouble only focusing on basketball and winning games. Batum said Walker is the biggest part of their success.
"He's the captain. The best player. An All-Star. He's our leader. He's everything for us and we go as he goes. I've played with great guys in my career and he's up there," Batum said.
The NBA trade deadline is February 8th, and in the meantime the Hornets have ten games to try and win between now and then.