Despite $1.7 Billion Net Worth, Michael Jordan Ended Former NBA All-Star?s Career at His Franchise by Attempting to Save $60 Million

Michael Jordan has amassed a humongous amount of wealth during his NBA career. He is among the richest former NBA athlete ever and the first athlete to be called a billionaire. He has a reputation for being cold and competitive, but no one ever thought that he could cost another NBA player millions of dollars. Kemba Walker once lost out on a lot of money due to Michael Jordan.

Walker was the star player of Jordan’s Hornets. He was arguably the best player Charlotte Hornets had seen for years. MJ did not offer his star player enough money to keep him around. It is reported that Kemba was looking for a max contract from the Hornets, but Jordan had other plans. Instead of negotiating around the $220 million mark that Kemba expected, Jordan lowballed him with an offer, of around $160 million over five years, that was borderline disrespectful to the Hornets star.

Kemba Walker was at the pinnacle of his career at the Hornets. He has played for the Celtics and the Knicks, but his time at the Hornets was the most glorious stint of his career. When he realized that the Hornets were undervaluing him, he informed his agent that he wished to play for another franchise. He later signed with the Celtics for $142 million.?

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In a way, Michael Jordan cost Kemba $80 million. In hindsight, he was never offered a $220 million contract, but according to him, he deserved that remuneration for putting the Hornets on his back. Walker was the first All-Star that the Hornets had since Gerald Wallace in 2009.?

Michael Jordan cost Kemba Walker $80 million.

Jordan wanted to save $60 million since he did not wish to pay the luxury tax and, in a way, ended his star players career at his franchise. In addition, Walker was the all-time leading scorer for the franchise! Kemba went to the Celtics soon after and signed for much less than MJ offered him. Walker felt very disrespected by the offer and wanted to stay.

Kemba once said, “If it was a max offer, I definitely would’ve taken it, no question. I did not want to leave Charlotte. I love Charlotte.”

Walker felt that he had done so much for the franchise and loved the City. He lives in Charlotte to this day and would have never left had Michael Jordan not wanted to save on that $60 million. It is absurd that with $1.7 billion to his name, he let his star player go.

Walker to return to Charlotte?

Kemba’s stint with the Celtics was quite upsetting since he was not able to lead the team further than they had already been without him. The Celtics have already been to the NBA finals without the star guard. Meanwhile, he has played for the Knicks, where he was benched and soon traded to the Pistons.

Knowing his love for the City, a return to Charlotte cannot be ruled out. Several rumors out there suggest he may look to come back to his beloved city.

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If it were to happen, Walker would be a Bi-Annual exception which is worth around $4 million. It is absurd to think that Walker could have played for the same franchise for $160 million and now would not get above $4 million.