The Charlotte Hornets’ young core is still a mystery
By Scott Overby
Devonte’ Graham
Devonte’ Graham has been an absolute find for this team. The former second round pick (34th overall) learned from his tough rookie season to emerge as a player to be considered for the NBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year Award.
On the season, Devonte’ Graham is averaging 19.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 7.9 assists while shooting 38% overall and 39% from the three-point line for the Hornets. As a rookie, he averaged just 4.7 points and 2.6 assists in 14.7 minutes per night.
The thing that surprised me the most about Graham was his playmaking ability that was evident at his first Summer League, a skill that he never really flashed at Kansas as he played off the ball in Bill Self’s system for most of his college career.
Although he has struggled shooting in the past month of December, his ability to find open teammates and get them easy looks is something that this team can build around in the future.
While I don’t think he has the physical tools to ever be a plus defender, he does have a high basketball IQ, so he can develop into someone who is tolerable on that end. He is not going anywhere anytime soon, that’s for sure.