NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Charlotte Hornets

1. Treveon Graham

Finally, perhaps the most feasible high caliber option is simply retaining restricted free agent Treveon Graham. His qualifying offer, at $1.64 million, is so close to the largest amount of space under the tax line that the Hornets can have if they make no moves that it could easily become too large if the cap estimate is even the tiniest bit off. Regardless, if the tax line stays where it currently is, it’s likely to be worth it to keep Graham around. The Hornets have struggled both with shooting the 3 and with defending from the wing, and Graham does both at a reasonable level, as a career 44 percent shooter from 3 and a strong body on defense.

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That isn’t to say Graham isn’t without weakness — he fouls a little too much, he’s not quick enough to defend every shooting guard, nor is he tall enough to defend every power forward, and he doesn’t create much for himself — but for the amount the Hornets inadvertently hid him under Steve Clifford’s occasionally nonsensical rotations, they’ll benefit as he goes for cheaper than a player of his ability and skillset usually would. In addition, as the Hornets go into a possible youth movement season, Graham, who just completed his age-24 season, has a chance to truly grow as he enters his traditional prime.