Devonte’ Graham should transition to sixth man when he returns from injury for the Charlotte Hornets.
Fans and media outlets criticized the Charlotte Hornets early in the season for no starting LaMelo Ball, the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Despite that, Hornets coach James Borrego stuck with the rotation that he began the season with, having Ball come off the bench, normally being the first substitute along with Miles Bridges.
Terry Rozier missed the February 1 game versus the Miami Heat leading Ball to start for the first time in his career. A combination of various injuries sustained by Rozier, Devonte’ Graham, and Gordon Hayward have lead Ball to starting the last 15 games for the Hornets.
As a starter, Ball has averaged 20.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. The leading Rookie of the Year contender has earned a permanent spot in the Hornets’ starting lineup moving forward.
Graham has missed the Hornets’ last seven games due to a left knee injury. The Hornets believe that Graham will return shortly after the All-Star break. When he returns, Graham should come off the bench to lead the second unit as the sixth man.
The Hornets lack a consistent scorer off the bench not named Malik Monk. Although he struggled with his shot early in the season, prior to his injury, Graham showed that he was starting to trend upward back to his level of performance last year.
Graham is already one of the team’s leaders and he would provide great leadership playing off the bench with the Hornets’ younger players. Graham, Monk, and Miles Bridges could be the building blocks of a dependable bench that the Hornets’ can rely on this season as they march towards the playoffs and for seasons to come.