Kemba Walker got a new French point-guard teammate in Charlotte this summer in Tony Parker. Imagine the buzz next summer if Walker inherits another French point-guard teammate in Frank Ntilikina in New York.
Walker, the fiery point guard out of The Bronx and UConn, lights up with a hard smile when he talks about how “special” the Knicks are to him.
While Kyrie Irving is often speculated as the prime Knicks target in 2019 free agency, Walker, a two-time All-Star, would be a nice fallback to fill most of the Knicks’ 2019 cap space.
And after Charlotte shopped Walker in the weeks leading into last February’s trade deadline — something he didn’t appreciate — it’s unclear if owner Michael Jordan has the desire to go deep with the native New Yorker.
The 28-year-old Rice High School graduate claims he still has visions of Charlotte making him a long-term Hornet when he becomes a free agent July 1, but he is keeping his options open.
“I’ve been hearing it for years now — the Knicks,” Walker said as he visited the Players Association’s kids camp at Pier 36. “Every time I come home, it’s, ‘When are you coming home to the Knicks?’ MSG is a special place, man. The Knicks are a special team. Of course, I’ve been a Knicks fan growing up, always rooted for the home team. But I really can’t see myself in a Knicks jersey — only because I’ve been in one jersey. I really don’t know.”
Indeed, Walker doesn’t “have a clue” what the future holds. Asked how tempting it might be if the Knicks pursue him, a still-grinning Walker said, “Got to see. We got to see. I’ve never been free, never been a free agent. We’ll see.
“I have no idea. I’ve never been a free agent. I don’t know how the process works. I will have options unless Charlotte gets something done.”
One fearless camper, during a question-and-answer session, queried Walker on how well he defends Irving, the Jersey product who has given signals of desiring the Knicks next summer as a fellow free agent.
“I defend him all the time,” Walker said. “Next question, next question.”
Walker’s free agency figures to be a theme across the 2018-19 season.
“I don’t get distracted,” Walker said. “It’s the nature of the game, nature of the media. They’re going to ask me. I’ll answer it as best as I can, try to play as best as I can so when my time comes, I’ll have great options. Or hopefully the Hornets will get something done [July 1] before any team can even approach me.”
Last season, Walker averaged 22.1 points and 5.6 assists and averaged even more trade rumors — a first for him.
“Yeah, of course, who wouldn’t it bother?” Walker said of the trade reports. “Who wants to hear their name in trade rumors? At the same time, I’m seven years in. That was my first time ever hearing anything of that nature. I got over it. What can I do? I tried to ignore it, not think about it as much. I’m in Charlotte. I’m excited to be a Hornet as long as possible.
“I want to do something special with Charlotte. I’ve been there eight years now, and we haven’t really been consistent since I’ve been there as far as winning. I just want to establish that culture. I want to change the organization and make it a winning organization.”
The Knicks, too, could use Walker’s help. Walker was coached by new Knicks coach David Fizdale once during the Rookie-Sophomore Game during All-Star Weekend and has a rapport with him.
Walker, who visits the Garden on Dec. 9, gets a new coach in Charlotte in James Borrego and a new mentor in Parker, whom he wants to “model myself after.”
“I couldn’t believe he left San Antonio,” Walker said. “He wanted something new, especially at the end of his career. We really wanted him, and he’ll get a chance to play some minutes.”
When Parker signed, Walker was in Charlotte and they met and have texted over the summer.
“He’s a good dude, looking forward to being around him and learning from him,” Walker said. “His in-between game, he’s one of the best ever at our position at making those shots consistently. A lot of guys in our league shoot runners, floaters but not at a high, consistent rate. Tony’s one of the very few. Something I will pick his brain at.”
Walker also saved flattering words for another French PG in Ntilikina, taken eighth in the 2017 draft. Walker was the ninth pick in 2011 — the same slot as Knicks rookie Kevin Knox.
“I like him,” Walker said of Ntilikina. “I thought he got better every day as the season went on. I’m a fan of him. He can really defend and has great length. You can see he’s getting better, man. That’s what this league is all about. I can tell he works on his game. Got to respect that.”