Dallas Mavericks: Kemba Walker’s All-NBA nod hurts odds he joins the Mavs

Dallas Mavericks free agent target Kemba Walker made third-team All-NBA which gives him a massive incentive to re-sign with the Hornets.

Dallas Mavericks fans have significant hopes about improving the team’s roster in free agency this summer. The Mavs primary targets are All-Stars Kemba Walker and Khris Middleton according to Marc Stein.  The odds of signing one of those men decreased significantly on May 23.

The league announced the All-NBA teams on Thursday. Kemba made third-team All-NBA for the first time in his career. It is a fantastic honor for the Hornets point guard.

Shortly after the announcement Dallas Morning News reporter Brad Townsend sent out the following tweet.

Kemba Walker is now eligible for a five-year deal worth $221 million. Only the Charlotte Hornets can offer that. If he signs with the Dallas Mavericks on a max contract, Walker will play on a four-year pact worth $140 million.

Rick Bonnell does a stellar job explaining the implications from a Hornets’ perspective here.

Kemba will be leaving a massive amount of money on the table if he decides to move on from the Hornets this summer. The 29-year-old could still prioritize playing for a contender, though. Walker has made the playoffs just twice in his eight seasons in Charlotte. The last time was 2016, and the Hornets have never escaped the first round.

Final thoughts

Kemba Walker was named to the All-NBA team on May 23 which hurts the Dallas Mavericks chances of signing the guard this summer. $81 million is a lot of money to leave on the table, but the Hornets have to offer a “supermax” deal. If they decide against it, Walker may choose to leave in free agency.

Stay tuned to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest on Kemba Walker and the Dallas Mavericks. There figures to be plenty of free agency moves this offseason, and our site will have analysis fans cannot find elsewhere.