Michael Jordan says he would only trade Kemba Walker for an All-Star

Jordan doesn’t want to trade Walker, but he admits he has been involved in trade talks.

Jan 23, 2018, 2:51 PM UTC

Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images

Late Monday night, Charlotte Hornets majority owner Michael Jordan confirmed an ESPN report that Kemba Walker had been involved in trade talks in advance of this season’s Feb. 8 trade deadline. In an exclusive interview with the Charlotte Observer, Jordan said he wasn’t actively looking to trade the 2017 All-Star but that it wasn’t off the table.

“It’s not like we are shopping him,” Jordan said. “We would not just give him up. I love Kemba Walker. I would not trade him for anything but an All-Star player.”

Jordan admitted that he was disappointed with Charlotte’s season, as the team has limped to a 19-26 record and sits four games out of the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference despite entering the season with playoff hopes.

“Obviously, the season has been a disappointment so far, and there have been teams asking about players. Also, we’ve been asking about players,” Jordan told the Observer. “We ask teams who they like on our roster, and they always say Kemba.”

When the trade rumors were originally reported, Walker responded fervently, making it clear that he didn’t wish to leave the Hornets.

“I’d be pretty upset,” Walker told reporters when asked about it. “I have put my heart and soul into this city.”

Walker described his close relationship with head coach Steve Clifford and his unwavering support of the city and community. All that is true, as Walker is building a house in Charlotte and sits only 800 points away from becoming the all-time leading Hornets scorer. Clifford echoed those sentiments:

“I think it would be hard to trade him,” Clifford said. “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’d get traded.”

However, in the Monday interview, Jordan didn’t rule it out, even while expressing his support for the 27-year-old point guard who is averaging 22 points and six assists this season.

“I’m telling you I believe in my team,” Jordan concluded. “I’m disappointed in our record and I’m frustrated at times. But I’m telling you I like everything about Kemba’s work. I’m not just going to throw him away.”