Kemba Walker has been the subject of trade rumours for the last six months but he's still very much a Charlotte Hornets player and is likely to be for the 2018-19 season. 

But with the point guard set to hit free agency in 2019, those rumours will persist over the next year. 

However, if the information coming from the front office and the player himself is to be believed, his long-term future is in North Carolina. 

Here to stay

New general manager Mitch Kupchak said last month that Walker will be the "focal point" of the franchise moving forward. 

The 28-year-old has continuously stated his desire is to remain in Charlotte even though the team has failed to make it to the playoffs for the last two campaigns. 

But it seems he's always having to answer questions about his future and reiterate his stance. 

He did so again in a recent interview with The Athletic's Michael Scotto but also dropped a major hint that he will re-sign with the Hornets in free agency next summer. 

The two-time All-Star made the revelation after being asked if he's considering a move back to his hometown of New York to play for either the Knicks or the Brooklyn Nets. 

“As far as seeing me in New York, I doubt it,” Walker. “I’m a Hornet, and I’m planning on being a Hornet for a long time; so, yeah, I’m not sure about that [New York].”

As a Bronx native, the link to the Nets is obvious but it seems he has no plans to return home in the near future as his heart is still in Charlotte.

Walker went on to say that as long as he's wanted in Buzz City, he'll be happy to remain and stay loyal to the team that drafted him. 

“I’m not planning to leave, no,” Walker replied when he was asked if he would leave. “It’s not up to me right now.”

That decision lies with owner Michael Jordan and GM Kupchak and it'll be interesting to see if they're serious about keeping him as the face of the organisation. 

The former Connecticut product has spent his entire seven-year career with the Hornets after they selected him with the number nine overall pick in 2011. 

All the signs point towards Walker penning a long-term extension with the team but a lot can happen in the next year. 

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