The Charlotte Hornets are making moves hours before free agency in the NBA begins. The franchise has extended a qualifying offer to Devonte’ Graham.
According to league sources, the Hornets consider him part of their core and hope that both sides can reach a deal to keep the guard around permanently. The qualifying offer will make Graham a Restricted Free Agent.
Also, the Horners are ready to move on from Malik Monk. The team is not extending a qualifying offer to the fourth-year guard out of Kentucky, which makes him an unrestricted free agent.
There’s nothing surprising at all about these moves from the Hornets. In Graham, Charlotte will more than likely start alongside LaMelo Ball and let James Bouknight develop slowly.
Due to his inconsistency and the team drafting Bouknight and Kai Jones, Monk was expendable. In his last 25 games, Monk averaged 15.3 points per game and shot 41.5 percent from three on 5.9 attempts. It will be interesting to see where Monk will wind up.
Also, it would be worth wondering about PJ Washington’s future with the team. The Hornets have until October to decide whether or not they will pick up the club option for the 2022-23 season.