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After spending years scrapping and clawing to remain in the middle of the pack, the Charlotte Hornets recognize they're stuck. And they are finally, mercifully prepared to do something about it—even if they have to trade Kemba Walker.

Sources told ESPN.com's Adrian Wojnarowski on Friday that the Hornets have made their floor general available for the taking. But their openness to moving him is not without its caveats.

As Woj wrote: "Charlotte has been encouraging teams to make offers and appears eager to discuss attaching Walker to a larger trade in which another team would take on one of the Hornets' several far less desirable contracts, sources said."

Nicolas Batum, Dwight Howard, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marvin Williams remain the bloated filler the Hornets are most interested in shipping elsewhere. That significantly changes the scope of Walker's market.

Suitors won't sign over the deed to large swathes of their futures and take on bad contracts at the same time. They'll minify their offers by emphasizing cap relief over high-end picks and prospects. And that's just as well because the trade market for marquee names, including All-Stars, isn't the most aggressive.

Teams are more hesitant to flip first-rounders and youngsters for impact performers who, while in their primes, will only get older and more expensive. Walker is a great point guard and top-30 player, and his contract (two years, $24 million remaining) ranks among the best in the league. But he's not Kyrie Irving or Jimmy Butler, and the prospect of paying him near-max money in 2019, when he's 29, will shape the quality of offers while scaring off most rebuilding squads.

In lieu of winning an unwinnable situation, the Hornets should focus on getting off Batum's pact. They owe him $99.1 million, including this season, through 2020-21, and he is most likely immovable without some sweeteners. And incentives don't get much better than top-10 point guards on the right side of 30.

Bear this in mind as we fudge together potential trade packages. Third and fourth teams will be sought out to help make the money and post-deal roster more manageable. The Hornets will end up having to create extra spots after many of these suggestions—a price worth paying if it helps clear the decks.

Finally, remember we're not necessarily endorsing every Walker pursuit. These hypotheticals are based off both teams that could use him or talk themselves into needing him. If you don't understand the difference, contact the nearest New York Knicks fans. They'll know.