5 Trades where the Hornets completely fleeced their trade partner

5. Hornets trade Devonte’ Graham for first that turned into Mark Williams

Devonte’ Graham was a very fun find for the Charlotte Hornets. After an effectively non-existent rookie season with Kemba Walker ahead of him, he exploded in his sophomore year, turning into a legitimate rotation player.

However, there were always some efficiency issues, and it was tough to tell whether or not his success would translate on a winning roster. So, when the New Orleans Pelicans wanted him in free agency, the Hornets completed a sign-and-trade.

It ended up being a three-team deal that also included the Memphis Grizzlies. Graham and Jonas Valanciunas, the Grizzlies got Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, and others, and the Hornets got a lottery-protected first-round pick in 2022.

Luckily for Charlotte, the Pelicans ended up making the playoffs but in one of the final spots, so the selection landed at 15th, meaning the Hornets received the pick.

And when it came time for them to make their pick, they managed to snag Duke center Mark Williams. While Williams has dealt with injuries early on in his career, he looks like he could be the center of the future for the Hornets.

If the Hornets managed to flip Graham, who could have simply left in free agency, for their center of the future next to LaMelo Ball, that’s a huge win and a major fleece, especially considering Graham didn’t stick in New Orleans.