One of the greats to ever play for Kansas Basketball has landed home in the NBA. Devonte’ Graham has a chance to leave an even bigger legacy with the Hornets.
With the 34th overall pick, the Charlotte Hornets selected Kansas Basketball point guard Devonte’ Graham. The Hornets were beyond ecstatic that Graham was still on the board in the early second round.
Graham is the fourth Kansas Basketball alumni to be drafted with the 34th pick. Frank Mason, Mario Chalmers, and Kevin Pritchard are the other three. Pretty good company. Real good company for Graham to be in.
Mitch Kupchak, GM of the Hornets mentioned in a post-draft interview with Chris Kroeger that even though Graham is a rookie, he can contribute substantially. The Hornets traded two future second rounds to the Hawks for his rights. This basically means the Hawks drafted Graham for the Hornets.
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"We got a ball-handling guard that we think based on his pedigree, experience, style of play, great coaching, and of course he’s a four year player that we think even though he is a rookie he might be able to help us in the backcourt next season."
The Hornets have veteran Kemba Walker, Michael Carter-Williams, and Malik Monk in the backcourt in front of Graham, but Graham fits that mold the Hornets have been looking for. The NBA free agency period is chaotic, so there will still be some additions and subtractions to the roster.
Graham posses all the skills Charlotte was looking for in a new guard. He’s a good playmaker with the ball in his hands, he’s also good off the ball. He should be able to defend well at this level, he can drive the ball as well as dish it out.
There have been rumors that Graham is Walker’s eventual replacement. Kupchak has mentioned that he wants Walker to retire a Hornet. Graham seems to be just fine with that.
"I’ve never met him. I remember watching him play when he was at UCONN, though. Just excited man, just to learn from somebody like that, just to be able to be around someone like that who is a winner and knows how to win and knows how to compete."
Graham’s hometown isn’t too far away now. Raleigh, North Carolina is less than three hours from Charlotte. This means his family can get to the games a little easier than going back and forth to Lawrence, Kansas.
It sounds like the Hornets have faith in Graham. If he can do his thing during the summer league and fair well during the preseason he should have a solid spot on the bench.
Next: Best Jayhawks currently in the NBA
A Bold Predictions piece will be coming soon, but be prepared to see plenty of Graham playing on the honeycomb.