Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets: 15 greatest draft picks in franchise history

By Jerry Stephens

Charlotte Hornets 2017 NBA Draft (Photo by Ashlee Espinal/NBAE via Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets 2017 NBA Draft (Photo by Ashlee Espinal/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 30: Gerald Henderson #9 of the Charlotte Hornets gets introduced into the starting lineup against the Boston Celtics on March 30, 2015 at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rocky Widner/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 30: Gerald Henderson #9 of the Charlotte Hornets gets introduced into the starting lineup against the Boston Celtics on March 30, 2015 at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rocky Widner/Getty Images) /

The then-Bobcats selected Gerald Henderson with the No. 12 pick in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft. He ended up playing six years with the team and appeared in 391 games (292 starts). He had a bit of a slow start to his career but picked things up when he entered his third NBA season.

Gerald averaged 12.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game during his time with Charlotte. His best season came in 2013-14 when he put up 15.5 points per game. He averaged over 12 points per game in three of his four of his six years with the Bobcats/Hornets.

Henderson has played the seventh most games in franchise history, the ninth most minutes, made the 10th most field goals, made the eighth most free throws and scored the ninth most points. Even though he never made an All-Star team, he was a part of two playoff teams and averaged over 15 points per game in two consecutive seasons.

Following his six years in Charlotte, the Hornets traded Gerald, along with Noah Vonleh, to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Nicolas Batum. He spent only one year with the Blazers before signing with the Philadelphia 76ers the next season.The Sixers waived him after the 2016-17 season. After missing the entire 2017-18 NBA season with a hip injury that required surgery, Hendo plans on attempting a return to the league.