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A22 SPORTS
Friday 14 June 2019

Walker says he’d take less than $221M to stay with Hornets

By STEVE REED to be and if it doesn’t work
AP Sports Writer out, it just doesn’t. I’m pre-
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — pared.”
Three-time NBA All-Star Walker has been selected
Kemba Walker said he for the last three All-Star
would consider taking less games and was named a
money than he is eligible to starter this year for the first
make to stay with the Char- time. He averaged a ca-
lotte Hornets if that means reer-high 25.6 points and
helping them build a win- 4.4 rebounds per game last
ning team. season along with 5.9 as-
Because Walker was sists while playing in all 82
named to an All-NBA team games.
this season, the Hornets can Walker has averaged more
offer him a five-year “super- than 20 points per game in
max” contract worth up to four straight seasons and is
$221 million — significantly averaging 19.8 points per
more than the five-year, game for his career since
$190 million deal had he joining the league in 2011
not been named All-NBA. out of UConn, where he
Other NBA teams can only won a national champion-
offer a four-year deal worth ship with the Huskies.
$140 million when free The Hornets have made the
agency begins June 30. playoffs only twice during
“Yeah, why not? I would Walker’s career and have
take less, for sure,” Walker never made it out of the
said Thursday during his first round — a major dis-
youth basketball camp at appointment for the highly
Ardrey Kell High School in competitive Walker. So the
Charlotte. prospect of playing for a
The eight-year NBA veteran team that is closing to com-
said the Hornets remain his peting for a NBA champi-
first priority, but he said he’s onship could lure Walker
“pretty sure” he will meet In this March 26, 2019, file photo, Charlotte Hornets’ Kemba Walker laughs at a play from the away from Charlotte.
with other interested teams bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in Charlotte, Walker said right now he
before making a decision N.C. is just trying to enjoy the
on his future. Associated Press experience, regardless of
The 29-year-old Walker said (the Hornets) have to offer, Knicks because he grew up Walker said he doesn’t how stressful it might be.
he’s eager to hear what as well as other teams.” in the Bronx. have a timetable for sign- “It’s my first time being a
other teams have to offer. Hornets general manager But Walker has repeatedly ing a contract but added free agent and having the
“That all factors in (to my Mitch Kupchak previously said he loves playing and he wouldn’t mind getting opportunity to be in the
decision) when I sit down said the team will do “ev- living in Charlotte. it done as soon as possible. driver’s seat and have the
with the teams and hear erything we can” to re-sign “I have been here for eight Asked if he was confident opportunity to make a de-
what guys have to say,” Walker, the franchise’s all- years, and it’s the team he’d re-sign with Charlotte, cision and play for different
Walker said. “I think that will time leading scorer. that drafted me,” Walker Walker shrugged his shoul- teams, and that is exciting
all come into play. I’m not There has been plenty of said. “So yeah it is my first ders and said, “I have no in itself,” Walker said. “And
really sure right now. Like I speculation about where priority. I don’t know if I will clue. when teams have interest
said Charlotte is my first pri- Walker might end up, in- sign back with them, but “I don’t know,” Walker in you I think that is pretty
ority and I have to see what cluding with the New York they are my first priority.” added. “This is where I want cool.”q

Zion sues marketing company, alleging state law violation

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — According to the lawsuit, the state. ages and harm caused” tract” between Williamson
Former Duke star Zion Wil- the five-year contract he Creative Artists Agency would likely exceed $100 and Prime Sports, claimed
liamson is suing to termi- signed five days later with announced May 30 that it million. Williamson “intentionally
nate his contract with a Prime Sports did not con- had signed Williamson, the Klein said in a statement breached” his contract
sports marketing company, tain notice that he would Associated Press college that Prime Sports “bla- with Prime Sports and
saying the agency violated lose his college eligibility player of the year this sea- tantly violated the North called the “collective ac-
the state’s sports agent upon signing, and did not son. Carolina statute specifi- tions of CAA and Zion Wil-
law. contain a disclaimer allow- The lawsuit includes a copy cally designed to protect liamson ... willful, intentional
A lawsuit filed Thursday in ing him 14 days to cancel. of a letter Williamson sent student athletes” and that and unlawful.”
U.S. District Court in Greens- Both are required under the next day to Ford to ter- the agency’s “continued The lawsuit asks the court to
boro says the star player the North Carolina Uniform minate the contract and threats against Mr. William- declare the contract void
should be allowed to void Athlete Agents Act. a June 2 letter sent to Ford son made necessary the fil- and prevent Prime Sports
his contract with Florida- According to the lawsuit, by Williamson’s attorney, ing of this lawsuit.” from acting on behalf of
based Prime Sports Market- Prime Sports Marketing Jeffrey S. Klein, arguing the When asked for comment, Williamson.
ing LLC. President Gina Ford met contract was void. Ford provided The Asso- It was filed a week before
Williamson announced with Williamson in North Attorney Joann Squillace, ciated Press with a state- the draft, and Williamson
April 15 he was leaving Carolina, but neither she who represents Ford, re- ment attributed to Prime is expected to be the No.
Duke after one season to nor her company is regis- sponded that the “foresee- Sports that said CAA “was 1 overall selection by the
enter the NBA draft. tered as athlete agents in able injuries, losses, dam- aware of the valid con- New Orleans Pelicans.q