The fight for Kemba Walker's signature in NBA free agency is heating up, and there's a new betting favorite to land the Charlotte Hornets point guard.
Oddsmakers have pegged the Boston Celtics as the favorites, according to the latest betting lines from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Boston is not a clear favorite, however. The Hornets are right behind the C's at +200.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday the Celtics have "emerged as the frontrunner" to sign Walker.
The Hornets do have two advantages over the Celtics when it comes to signing Walker. Charlotte is able to offer the 29-year-old guard a five-year supermax contract worth $221 million. The Celtics, and any other team not named the Hornets, can only offer a four-year, $141 million deal to Walker.
So, if money is most important to Walker, returning to Charlotte is the clear choice. If winning is the priority for him, the Celtics are a better option. Walker has spent his entire eight-year career in Charlotte, and only twice during that span has the team advanced to the playoffs. Both appearances (2014 and 2016) resulted in first-round exits. The Hornets missed the playoffs last season despite Walker enjoying the best year of his career.
Walker averaged a career-high 25.8 points and didn't miss a single game last season.
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