The Kemba Walker trade rumors that have been circulating over these past two weeks are slowly building into something that’s worth keeping an eye on as the trade deadline approaches. ESPN reported on Friday that the Charlotte Hornets are now open to entertain trade offers for their dynamic point guard, who was an All-Star just a year ago. The 27-year-old Walker became the latest established player to fall right into the trade deadline frenzy.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN revealed that the Hornets are making every player on their roster available in potential trades, including veterans Walker, Nicolas Batum, and recently-acquired Dwight Howard.

Walker is by far the most coveted player on the Hornets' roster, and it wouldn’t be a shocker if interested teams are already making trade calls for the high-scoring guard.

The Detroit Pistons

Wojnarowski expects the Pistons to be aggressive buyers around the deadline. Stan Van Gundy, now in his fourth year in a dual role as the team’s head coach and top decision-maker, is eager to make a "win-now" deal that would cement Detroit’s status as contenders in the Eastern Conference this season.

Vince Ellis of Detroit Free Press confirmed the Pistons' interest in Walker and he is expecting Van Gundy and his front office team to go hard at the Hornets' prized playmaker. “A person with firsthand knowledge of the situation indicated the Pistons are indeed interested in Walker, who reportedly has been made available by the Hornets.”

The Pistons’ trade package for Walker could presumably include Reggie Jackson (three-year, $51 million), former lottery draft pick Stanley Johnson and a future first round pick.

Ellis is also not ruling out the inclusion of sharp-shooting rookie Luke Kennard in a potential deal.

The New York Knicks

After a surprising start, reality is slowly catching up with the New York Knicks, who have dropped 12 of their last 16 games and are now five games below .500 (20-25). Veteran playmaker Jarrett Jack has been pulling out all the stops to mentor No.8 pick Frank Ntilikina and run the offense at the same time.

Still, the Knicks are in dire need of a game-changer, particularly in their backcourt. If they want to clinch a lower playoff birth at the end of the regular-season, many think the Knicks must pull the trigger on a blockbuster move.

The idea of the Bronx’s very own Walker playing for the Knicks is fun, but Marc Beerman of the New York Post reported Friday afternoon that the Knicks have not contacted the Hornets about potentially acquiring the All-Star guard.

The insider added that a Knicks deal for Walker appears to be a longshot.

If the Knicks eventually decide to join the fray in the Walker sweepstakes, Beerman said a source close to situation expects the Knicks’ trade package to include Ntilikina, a future first-round pick (2019 perhaps) and Joakim Noah’s albatross contract. The Hornets would have to match the package by attaching a larger contract to Walker ($12M per year), perhaps Marvin Williams ($14M per year) or Nicolas Batum ($24M per year).
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