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3 Things Hornets Fans Should be Thankful for this Thanksgiving

By Luke Tucker

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 22: Devonte' Graham #4 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on November 22, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 22: Devonte' Graham #4 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on November 22, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 10: Devonte’ Graham #4 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball against Matisse Thybulle #22 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 10, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Hornets 114-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 10: Devonte’ Graham #4 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball against Matisse Thybulle #22 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 10, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Hornets 114-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Devonte’ Graham

Easily the biggest thing to be thankful for 18 games into the new season is the big-time emergence of Devonte’ Graham. The Hornets selected Graham with the 34th-overall pick in last year’s draft, and he wound up spending a large portion of his rookie year in the G-League. Even as this season approached, the second-year point guard was expected by most to be a solid role player at best. Almost a quarter of the way into the 2019-2020 season, that couldn’t be more wrong.

After 18 games, Graham leads Charlotte with 18.1 points and 7.1 assists per game–despite making only eight starts. The Raleigh-native is shooting 6.5% better from the field in his second year, and a whopping 12% better from beyond the arc. In fact, Graham has been so good with the long-ball that only James Harden and Buddy Hield currently have more made three-pointers this year. His 40% shooting from deep ranks third on the team among players with regular playing time.

Parting ways with Kemba Walker, the greatest player in franchise history, was never going to be easy, however, the breakout from Graham has certainly helped to ease some of the pain. Charlotte acquired Terry Rozier in a sign-and-trade with Boston in hopes that he could replace Walker’s production, yet it’s been Graham who has done so thus far. In a season where there isn’t a whole lot to be thankful for, Devonte’ Graham is no doubt a bright spot.

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