OKC Thunder waives Tyler Davis, calls up Donte Grantham
OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti pulls the plug on Tyler Davis and signs former Clemson forward Donte Grantham to a two-way contract.
Bench depth has been key for the OKC Thunder to this point, and will only become more important as the season goes along. The Thunder found the help they needed in two-way player Deonte Burton, and hope Donte Grantham can be the next man up in lieu Tyler Davis.
Although Davis saw some success in the G-League, averaging a double-double with 17.2 points and 11.5 rebounds, he never got much of a chance at the highest level. Instead, Sam Presti elected to go with a potentially more versatile option in Grantham, who should provide the same length with more offensive weapons.
https://twitter.com/okcthunder/status/1078750721959325696
The 23-year-old forward came out of high school as a top-100 recruit loaded with potential. He spent four years in college perfecting his game, diversifying his skills from a spot-up shooter to an off the dribble offensive threat. At 6’8, 215 pounds with an enormous 7’3 wingspan, he is an intriguing prospect who fits the Sam Presti mold.
He averaged14.2 points on 56 percent shooting in his senior year at Clemson before a torn ACL ended his season after just 19 games. The knee injury was in part why Grantham went undrafted in 2018, but it hasn’t seemed to bother him since.
Worth the risk
Through 10 games as a professional, Grantham continues to prove why Presti was willing to dump Davis and take a chance on him. And while his early-season numbers aren’t staggering (10.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists), he certainly passes the eye test.
His speed, athleticism and shooting ability make for an entertaining player to watch and it’s apparently enough to be tested at the NBA level. For a closer look at Grantham’s scouting report, click here.
There’s a lot of good qualities about Grantham, but maybe the most exciting is his non-risk price tag. To pick up a former top-100 recruit with the length and athleticism like his after the draft is one of those feel-good moments in basketball. It’s a chance for a youngster to prove he’s still got it after a knee injury, and a chance for the Thunder benefit from a low-risk, high reward type of player.
Another hidden treasure?
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Should Grantham pan out, he’ll fit right in with the Thunder’s rotation. At worst, he’d be a threat from behind the arc, which happens to be a need for OKC. At best, he’s a dynamic scorer who creates match-up problems with his length and guard skills.
Grantham wouldn’t be the only diamond in the rough Oklahoma City has found this season, as two-way player Deonte Burton has proven capable in sporadic minutes as well. If Grantham earns himself some playing time too, it could be a nice one-two punch for Donovan to turn to when needed.
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They could also make themselves apart of the Thunder’s long-term plans if they continue to produce.