Examining Jerami Grant’s fit with Nuggets vs. OKC Thunder

Jerami Grant was an integral part of the OKC Thunder with his trade seeming more a matter of salary than fit. T.I. drops in to examine his fit with the Nuggets.

The overhaul of the OKC Thunder this past offseason primarily focused on the trades of Paul George and Russell Westbrook. The trade of those two superstars returned three players who became starters.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chris Paul and Danilo Gallinari joined Steven Adams along with a defensive guard/forward as the impetus for the starting rotation. The clutch time lineup features the above quartet along with Dennis Schroder. Both units have exceeded expectations, particularly the closing clutch time lineup.

Additionally, the trade of George and Westbrook set up the OKC Thunder future with seven draft picks jettisoned from LA (five picks and two swaps) and four from Houston (two picks and two swaps).

The one player who typically gets overlooked in this summer’s moves and arguably is the one player the team would like back is Jerami Grant. Imagine what Billy Donovan could do with Grant if he had the option of inserting him as a defensive four and while he didn’t exercise the option there was always the possibility to use him at the five in a small ball lineup.

With the Syracuse alum entering free agency this offseason presumably Sam Presti decided to get something of value now for the 26-year old. The trade that sent him to Denver returned a first round pick which is slated to be conveyed this year although it is top 10 protected. With Denver well ahead of that seeding the pick will almost certainly be conveyed.

Grant’s first season in Denver has witnessed ebbs and flows partially due to the depth of the Nuggets rotation. With Paul Millsap dealing with injuries it afforded Grant more minutes. That was partially offset by the ascendance of Michael Porter Jr. who also needed to get burn in the rotation and in many eyes still isn’t getting enough playing time.