Charlotte Hornets: 2017-18 player grades for Kemba Walker

Final grade

Walker has come a long way from the inefficient, high-volume shooter that he used to be. He worked on his mechanics and has become one of the most prolific guards in the NBA. I couldn’t imagine how terrible this Charlotte team would be without him. Actually, I can: they would be atrocious.

While he still has things to work on, Walker has become one of the most must-see stars in the NBA. He’s capable of catching fire on any given night and has some of the best handles in the game today. While he may never win Defensive Player of the Year or even make an All-Defensive team, he has improved enough to at least not embarrass himself on a consistent basis. Besides, his offense more than offsets his deficiencies on the defensive end.

Walker had a great season and was a big reason why Charlotte won as many games as they did. As one of the only players on the team that could create his own shot, Walker kept the Hornets afloat in plenty of games with his vast offensive arsenal.

While he may not be a top-five point guard yet, Walker is certainly on the precipice. If he can fine-tune a couple more aspects of his game, he could reach that superstar status, just in time to receive a max extension when his contract expires after the 2018-19 season. All in all, it was a great season for Walker, even if it wasn’t a great one for the Hornets.

Next: Full two-round 2018 NBA Mock Draft

Final Grade: B+