The Pelicans are acquiring restricted free agent point guard Devonte’ Graham in a sign-and-trade deal with the Hornets, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). Graham will be signing a four-year, $47MM contract with New Orleans, his agents Ty Sullivan and Austin Brown tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).
According to Charania, Charlotte is getting a first-round pick back in the deal. Wojnarowski reports (via Twitter) that it’ll be the Pelicans’ own 2022 first-rounder, with top-14 protection.
Having approached free agency hoping to land a top-tier point guard such as Chris Paul or Kyle Lowry, the Pelicans were forced to pivot as those All-Stars committed to other teams. Instead, the team will end up with Tomas Satoransky (via the Lonzo Ball sign-and-trade with Chicago) and Graham, who emerged as a reliable start during the last two years in Charlotte.
Graham isn’t an especially efficient scorer, having made just 37.7% of his field goal attempts in 2020/21. However, that’s primarily a result of his struggles scoring inside the arc — his three-point mark was a very respectable 37.5%. In addition to his ability to make threes, Graham is an above-average play-maker (6.5 APG over the last two seasons) and a respectable defender.
Moving on from Graham shouldn’t be a major blow to the Hornets, since they still have a solid backcourt that features LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, and lottery pick James Bouknight. Charlotte could also now have an extra pick in the first round of the 2022 draft, and with Graham no longer on the books, the club will create a little extra cap flexibility in both the short- and long-term.
This dude is the exact same player as Bledsoe who they just traded away. Pelicans are having a horrible offseason
Steal of a deal. Graham is a stud. Who is not afraid to take “The” shot.
Pretty sure both of these takes aren’t it lol.
Agreed, definitely somewhere in between
In what way?
Bledsoe is known for defense, Graham for his shooting
Actually you right Bledsoe is the better player. Looking at stats and Bledsoe is better shooter from mid range, and slightly worse from 3. Graham is a horrible defender as well and Bledsoe was good but is slightly below average now.
Bledsoe was definitely better at his peak, but he is no longer at his peak. Graham is still trending upward. For a young Pelicans team, Graham is a better fit.
Lonzo is significantly better than him, they were just to cheap
Other than this recent year, Bledsoe is a lot better, but Garahm is cheaper and is at least better for their spacing, although Bledsoe is the much better defender, which is also a need for them. Good for Charlotte finally getting rid of Graham
Great signing, steal of a contract
Cheap deal but why give up the first. He was a free agent anyway makes no sense. Surely there more to come on this
They threatened to match?
Would’ve simply just offered more.
A rebuilding team trying to suddenly be a playoff team giving up first round pick for what an average point guard at best.
If your giving up firsts it should be for upgrades and key players
I suggest you look at his last two yrs. Not avg and is Trending up. Still young. Solid pickup.
Isn’t young anymore he’s 26 that’s about mid career and is average he didn’t even score 15 point per game.
Pelicans spent a first to go from Lonzo to DeVonte and he’s not as good as Lonzo
“Didn’t even score 15 ppg” is a funny choice of standards, both because it’s totally arbitrary and, more hilariously, because you know who else didn’t score 15 last year? Lonzo Ball.
And the Hornets could just simply match.
Nice move. I like it. Pels showing some.
Got a PG Pelicans. NBATV not talking about this move yet on air among others that has recently happened.
Protection is too much. The Hornets could have just matched this.
Just what the Pelicans need. Another G who can’t shot.
Man all the geniuses all come out once FA hits hey?
NOP upgrade from Ball. But .. but .. what about clearing the decks for Lewis and NAW ?? LOL. Gee, maybe that wasn’t it, maybe they just didn’t like Ball after all.
I really love Graham’s game for the modern NBA, and wanted him for the Knicks. He’s a true PG (facilitator) and a 3&D guy. Low maintenance team guy. Not athletic enough to finish himself around the basket, but he doesn’t force it.
Graham has shown he can play alongside guards like ball, rozier in Charlotte
Pelicans will probably go point Zion and graham gives them a really good shooter who can play make a little
couldn’t have said it better myself lol
Where does Schroeder end up? Anyone have any guesses? Feels like he messed declining that offer from the Lakers. First of all I think he would’ve been better off if he didn’t force his way as a starter but I get he wanted that pay day then I think he messed up declining that offer because even if he does get that or close to it I don’t think it’ll be on a contending team. Not sure that matters but you’d think it would. Guess I’ll wait and see but I feel like he messed up
Schroeder’s best fit is in the Euroleague.
Yea, I feel like he just dug himself in a whole. Gonna end up on a team that’s not contending and or not make as much as he was offered unless he really just didn’t want to be there
Orlando could use another guard
I’m only worried about Kings $15 million cap room to waste
Kings are focusing too much on Hield and Schroeder trade.
They have no time to sign free agents
GM needs to do a bit, not completely rely on coaches
I can dig it and love the top 14 protected someone lock up David Griffin!
I think the Pelicans are going to end up losing Zion. They needed to kill it this offseason and they’ve gotten worse if you ask me or at best maybe stayed close to the same. I know theyve made a few moves but nothing that made them really better if you ask me. If you’re gonna lose Ball at go get someone better than him. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe they will ne better this season. Personally hope that’s the case. Love B.I and Zion and want to see that young team do good and would hate to see them lose another star due to a trade demand but if they suck this season you can bet on Zion wanting out. Already talks of him or his family wanting him out of there. Can’t blame em.
This is what happens when people play 2k and think they know basketball. What the Pels have done this off-season is ALL to allow Zion to be his best and space the floor. Getting J Val who’s a shooting big man and Graham who is very good from 3 to replace Adams (not a shooting big man) and Ball (serviceable from 3). I’m guessing you don’t understand why Russ to Lakers was a worse trade than LA getting Hield either. Pels are having a B borderline B plus off-season. Fell short on Lowry but we all knew that was a long shot AND they managed to get a sign and trade done for Zo not just letting another team outbid them or force their hand. Landed a decent young player for a decent price too. Zion will be fine
After adding Satoransky and losing Ball, Bledsoe arguably makes more sense on this team now…
Hornets get a first for a player they were fine letting walk, no question who won this one
Should also add New Orleans badly needs to keep Josh Hart
I dont know about that. They now have Naji Marshall who actually play better than Hart. It seems Pelicans could re-sign Hart at cheap price
NOLA at least got a very good guard instead of the wash out K-Low or Dimwiddie, good move, shame didn’t keep Zo but seems they didn’t like him, which is odd, as he is a very good player & friends with Zion!
I don’t buy that Zion wanted Ball back. If he did, I’d imagine that they would’ve matched Ball’s contract. I’d be willing to bet that Zion said he was ok with this move. Instead of tying up 21 million a year. They are tied to 12 million a year for basically the same player. Btw, I do like Ball more than Graham. But, not 9 million more a year.
I Imagine if the pelicans had to trade a protected first for him, then the hornets were probably going to match the contract. So they made it a sign and trade so hornets got something, but I agree they won with a first even if protected