Reviewing Jerami Grant’s first season in Oklahoma City

Dec 27, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant (9) dunks the ball against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant (9) dunks the ball against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 7, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; OKC Thunder center Steven Adams (12) and forward Jerami Grant (9) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; OKC Thunder center Steven Adams (12) and forward Jerami Grant (9) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Jerami Grant’s future

Currently there’s a big “question” surrounding Grant: should the Thunder pick up his $1.5 million deal for next season? Okay, so now we know Jerami Grant will be back next season. But after that the decision to keep him will be much more difficult.

As we’ve noted, Grant is the prototypical stretch forward in today’s NBA. For that he should get paid well once he’s a free agent. At the same time Grant’s career numbers aren’t all that great – he’s averaging 7 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist a game.

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Because of his future outlook combined with his lack of big-time numbers the Thunder would be smart to try and sign him to an extension this offseason. In fact I think that may have been their plan along.

With an already tight cap space, taking a long-term risk on Grant could be a main reason why the Thunder are contenders in a few years. Every successful team in every cap-oriented sport has at least one player who is criminally underpaid; cashing in on Grant before he blows up could give Oklahoma City that player.