Charlotte Acquired Graham and a 2025 Second for Cash
On July 6, 2024, the Hornets obtained former Charlotte guard Devonte’ Graham and New Orleans’ 2025 second-round selection from San Antonio in exchange for cash considerations. The Spurs received a trade exception, and Charlotte immediately waived Graham. Both Basketball-Reference’s July transactions and contemporaneous reporting agree on the timing and the important source of the future pick. This was not a conventional move to restore Graham to a long-term Hornets role: his contract was a vehicle to transfer draft capital. Charlotte had previously drafted him in 2018 and seen him develop into a high-volume three-point shooter, but those earlier years cannot be credited to the 2024 agreement. San Antonio was clearing roster and salary commitments while the Hornets acquired an additional prospect opportunity.
The Draft Pick Became Ryan Kalkbrenner at No. 34
The 2025 second-round selection originated with New Orleans and ultimately became No. 34, used on Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner. That is an identifiable draft result, not a pick that expired under protection. Charlotte could select a developing big man without spending a first-round choice or trading an active starter, giving the transaction value even though Graham provided no on-court appearances in this second Charlotte stint. The Hornets C+ inherited grade reflects extracting a real 2025 draft asset in exchange for cash and taking responsibility for the brief contractual movement. The pick’s eventual NBA career cannot yet be judged by assuming future All-Star production; the tangible trade return is the ability to control a recognized second-round prospect.
San Antonio Preferred Cap Flexibility to Retaining Graham
Graham was a veteran guard who had seen limited San Antonio minutes and was not central to its long-term plans. The Spurs used the trade to move his contract and adjust their financial roster position, accepting cash while parting with a second-round pick. The team’s C- inherited grade recognizes that flexibility as a practical benefit, even though it did not receive a new player or draft choice from the Hornets. Charlotte obtained the only definite future draft asset, making the inherited Charlotte Win verdict understandable. The distinction also prevents double-counting: Graham played previous Charlotte seasons from an entirely separate acquisition, but the July 2024 trade itself yielded zero additional Hornets NBA games from him. The second-round pick, not a reunion, was the transaction’s real centerpiece.
Final Verdict
Charlotte Win. The Hornets receive C+ for Devonte’ Graham’s contract and New Orleans’ 2025 second-round pick, later used on No. 34 Ryan Kalkbrenner; Graham was immediately waived without Hornets games. San Antonio earns C- for cash and salary flexibility. The incoming draft choice was Charlotte’s lasting asset.