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Charlotte Hornets: Treveon Graham to become an unrestricted free agent

By Jerry Stephens

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 6: Treveon Graham #21 of the Charlotte Hornets handles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 6, 2018 at Spectrum Center 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 conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 6: Treveon Graham #21 of the Charlotte Hornets handles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 6, 2018 at Spectrum Center 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 conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Treveon Graham will be a restricted free agent this summer after the Charlotte Hornets declined to give him a qualifying offer.

According to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports, the Charlotte Hornets “won’t tender a qualifying offer to forward Treveon Graham.” By doing so, it would make Graham an unrestricted free agent this summer going into free agency. Treveon is expected to have plenty of suitors on the open market.

Mitch Kupchak and company declined to offer Graham a $1.69 million qualifying offer which would’ve made him a restricted free agent this year. The deadline for the offer was June 29th. That means that Charlotte would’ve had the opportunity to match any offer sheet that Treveon might’ve signed with another team.

The main reason for not tendering a qualifying offer to the 24-year old is that Charlotte currently has a bit of a logjam at their wing positions. Even though Graham was an important role player for them last season, he may have struggled for playing time in 2018-19 with Miles Bridges, Nicolas Batum, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Dwayne Bacon, Jeremy Lamb and Malik Monk all on the roster.

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Not giving him a qualifying offer also allowed Charlotte to get even further below the luxury tax line which gives them even more breathing room to operate with this offseason.

Treveon went undrafted during the 2015 NBA Draft after playing four years at VCU in college. He played one season with the Idaho Stampede of the G-League before being signed as a free agent by Charlotte in 2016.

During his two years with the Hornets, Graham appeared in over 90 games (three starts) for the Queen City team. He had a career year in 2017-18 by averaging 4.3 points per game, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.9 assists while shooting 43.4% from the field, 41.2% from three, and 69.5% from the free throw line.

The 6’6 forward was one of the Hornets most versatile player last season and one of their best individual defenders. He’s made strides with his outside shooting over the past two years and has made himself into a legit three-point threat.

Treveon showed legit three-and-D potential this past season and could be an intriguing option for any team this summer. He could likely be had on a relatively cheap contract and would be a solid role player off of the bench for a contender.

Next: Hornets sign J.P. Macura to two-way deal

There is a slight chance that Charlotte could bring Graham back if he doesn’t receive interest in free agency but that is unlikely. I wouldn’t be surprised if former head coach Steve Clifford tries to lure Treveon to the Orlando Magic this summer.

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