Devonté Graham, Hornets teammates ‘Zoom’ with Jordan; Coleby finally exits Italy
Former Kansas point guard Devonté Graham and his Charlotte Hornets teammates participated in a video call with team owner Michael Jordan at the conclusion of ESPN’s 10-part Jordan documentary, “The Last Dance.”
Graham, a candidate for the NBA’s most improved player award after averaging 18.2 points and 7.5 assists a game in his second season in the league, told the Charlotte Observer that Jordan instructed the players to be more vocal starting next season. The Hall of Famer was depicted in the series as somebody who is tough on teammates at practice and in games.
The Hornets, who went 23-42 in 2019-20, are not one of the league’s 22 teams that will gather in Orlando at the end of July for continuation of the 2019-20 campaign.
“How you have to be comfortable calling your teammates out,” Graham told the Observer in summarizing Jordan’s message. “That’s going to make you guys even better. You’ll bond better. Your team is stronger.
“There is more of a respect level, instead of not saying anything and letting guys mess up over and over and over again and you’re losing and losing.”
Graham, who averaged 4.7 points and 2.6 assists per game in his rookie season of 2018-19, is now considered an up-and-coming star in the league.
“A second-round draft pick in 2018, Graham is like a young NFL quarterback pressed into service on a franchise-friendly salary. He played his way into the job, shining time after time when the Hornets needed someone to step up,” wrote Sekou Smith of NBA.com in his season-ending report on the Hornets.
“The fact that Graham and (Terry) Rozier, who has been good but far from the consistent force his predecessor (Kemba Walker) was, fit so well together had to be a relief for (coach James) Borrego. Graham’s bid for the Kia Most Improved Award was bolstered by the massive strides he made from last season. Graham’s ability to adapt to the changing personnel and to find a way to be as effective as possible remain his greatest traits.”
This season, Graham this scored 35 points with six assists against Indiana and hit 10 three-pointers en route to 33 points (with nine assists and seven rebounds) against Golden State. Graham had 30 points against Miami in the Hornets’ final game before the coronavirus shutdown in March.
NBA.com’s Smith calls Graham the team’s MVP.
“Graham and Rozier could share the honor, given their tag-team backcourt work most nights. But Graham’s season-long work gives him a slight edge,” wrote Smith. “The Hornets struggled to put it all together this season anyway. Can you imagine how tough things would have been without Graham’s steadying influence? While Rozier needs time to adjust to his new surroundings, Graham served as the ideal bridge from the Walker era to whatever is next. The Hornets have so many unknowns and their roster needs some serious attention. The one thing they don’t have to worry about is Graham. The more comfortable he gets on and off the floor as a team leader, the better.”
Devonté’s salary status
Hornets GM Mitch Kupchak tells Jack Duffy of TPL media network that there have been no talks between the team and Graham on a possible contract extension.
According to fantasypros.com, Graham has a $1.66 million option for next season. He also has a qualifying offer of $2 million in 2021-2022.
Kupchak told Foxsports.com he views Graham, Rozier, P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges as the “four pillars” of the team.”
Kupchak said he is hoping the NBA allows the eight teams not invited to Orlando to be able to hold practices and scrimmages once the season resumes.
Coleby finally leaves Italy
Former KU center Dwight Coleby is headed home … finally.
The 26-year old native of Nassau, Bahamas — who played basketball for Dinamo Sassari in Sassari, Italy during the 2019-20 season — told The Star Wednesday night he was in London about to board a second flight and hoped to be back in the Bahamas sometime Thursday.
Coleby was locked down in his Sassari apartment from March 11 to May 3 because of Italy’s regulations surrounding COVID-19 coronavirus.
Even once the lockdown ended, because of a lack of flights and prohibitions about leaving Italy and re-entering the Bahamas, Coleby had been forced to remain in Italy since March.
“The embassy e-mailed me confirming that a flight was now available. The team helped me get tested and arrange the flights,” Coleby told The Star.
He said he’s grateful to be able to finally leave Italy three months after the end of his season.
“I have no idea where I will be (playing) next year. I will be thankful for any opportunity,” Coleby told The Star.
This story was originally published June 11, 2020 at 9:59 AM with the headline "Devonté Graham, Hornets teammates ‘Zoom’ with Jordan; Coleby finally exits Italy."
