NBA Draft 2018: 5 players who should’ve been drafted higher

PG Devonte’ Graham, Kansas

The senior point guard had big shoes to fill at Kansas after the departure of stalwart Frank Mason III last summer. Nobody can argue with Devonte’ Graham’s results.

Graham averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 assists per game during his final season. He validated his Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year honor by winning the award for the regular season as well.

He was also named a First Team All-American.

Some NBA teams were always destined to shy away from him due to his age – he’s already 23 years old and will turn 24 during the 2018-19 season.

Nevertheless, he slipped all the way to the second round, where the Atlanta Hawks selected him with the 34th pick. Atlanta then quickly shipped his rights to the Charlotte Hornets, enabling the Raleigh, North Carolina native to start his career close to home.

This could wind up being a great situation for Graham. He can learn behind Kemba Walker, a great college guard who has developed into an NBA All-Star. If Walker leaves in free agency down the road, Graham may even be able to step in as the starter.

His college career suggests he should’ve been a first-round pick, though, not a second-round afterthought.