The Hornets have made point guard Devonte’ Graham a restricted free agent by tendering him a qualifying offer, but won’t give shooting guard Malik Monk a QO, according to Rod Boone of SI.com (Twitter links).
Graham, the 34th overall pick in the 2018 draft, had a breakout season for Charlotte in 2019/20, when he averaged 18.2 PPG and 7.5 APG in 63 games. He saw his role dialed back a little this past season due to the emergence of fellow point guard LaMelo Ball, but was still a solid backcourt contributor for the Hornets, recording 14.8 PPG and 5.4 APG with a .375 3PT%.
Graham’s qualifying is worth approximately $4.7MM. While he could accept that one-year offer, it’s more likely that he’ll work out a more lucrative – and longer-term – agreement with the Hornets or another team. According to Boone, Charlotte considers Graham a part of the team’s core and is hopeful the two sides can work out a new deal.
The Hornets’ decision on Monk is the more interesting of the two. The former 11th overall pick struggled in his first three NBA seasons, making just 32.2% of his three-point attempts and serving a drug-related suspension in 2020. However, he emerged as a reliable role player in 2020/21, averaging 11.7 PPG on .434/.401/.819 shooting in 42 games (20.9 MPG).
With a crowded backcourt – one that now includes 11th overall pick James Bouknight – the Hornets opted against issuing Monk a $7MM+ qualifying offer, so he’ll be free to seek out a new home as an unrestricted free agent. Teams in need of shooting on the wing could give the former Kentucky standout a look this week.
The Hornets also didn’t tender a qualifying offer to two-way player Grant Riller, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, who tweets that the team and player aren’t ruling out a new deal.
Monk’s cap hold was probably too high for someone they felt to be replaceable.
Probably worth 7m now but Hornets I think have othe plans this summer
With Bouknight on board. Someone I like a lot by the way. Seems Ball is the future at PG. So it tells me you don’t need Graham and Terry. One of them or both could be traded. They or one will bring back good value for Hornets. Makes no sense keeping both on bench. When you can get a shooter in a trade.
Hornets had a great draft IMO. Bouknight is going to be a star. Kai also has a big future. But it’s good they got Plumlee to let him learn and earn his mins. Hornets seem to be doing this right now.
Monk should have been instant offense off the bench. But he’s inconsistent and never found his role. Needs to self evaluate and go to work. Can still be a good rotation guy. Someone will take a shot with him. Lakers should do it if they can sign him cheap.
Monk to the Knicks, where he should have been drafted 3 years ago.
I was thinking the same.
No. LOL. At least Frank made sense at the time. The other two choices (Monk and DSJ) made none.
Graham has been my preferred Knick PG target from the start. Since they drafted Ball really. CHA likes him, but I can’t believe they’ll be anxious to match an offer sheet for starter money. Rozier isn’t a PG, but can certainly back up Ball there, while also playing SG as his main spot, along with Bouknight and Monk. As a team with cap space, and few other trade assets, I’d like to avoid a S&T, unless the cost is modest.
Cuz Malik is kinda trash for what he was in HS and College. Huge disappointment IMO. Needs to keep his nose clean too.
“The Hornets won’t give shooting guard Malik MONK a QO,”. Too bad, It’s a jungle out there……………………
Too bad for Malik Monk. He thought that (finally) showing some effort during his contract year, might get him a nice, new payday.
Monk thought wrong.
MJ is too smart and too cheap for such shenanigans.
Thought they should trade Graham, and try to keep Monk. Bouknight possibly makes Rozier a trade candidate, potentially for a big that can space the floor/defend pick and roll, or more likely a true 3 behind Gordon Heyward…I think they should keep Riller, especially if they lose Monk. I really like the idea of a potential Ball, Bouknight, Riller guard combination