National Basketball Association

Jerami Grant: Where does the Forward Fit in the Rotation?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Oklahoma City Thunder traded for Jerami Grant on Tuesday, but where does the forward fit on a loaded roster?

I’m about to break something really really really really important. Sit down because this is huge. Are you ready? You sure? Okay…

THE THUNDER HAVE FOUND A REPLACEMENT FOR KYLE SINGLER!!!!!!!!!!!

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If Billy Donovan and Sam Presti truly wants to build a team of athletes who can switch every position, Jerami Grant is the perfect prototype off the bench. Grant is listed at 6’8 and has a 7’2 wing span. But more importantly, he’s a natural athlete. Just watch that first play. He’s an excellent fit with the Thunder’s core.

Grant has the potential to be a special wing defender with his physical tools, and he’s made significant strides in a little over two NBA seasons. The 22-year old (even more youth in OKC!) averaged 1.6 blocks per game last season, and he’s averaged two per game to start this season.

The big knock on the former Syracuse standout is his shooting. The Thunder rank 20th in overall team percentage at 29% through three games; I say they embrace the awfulness and go full freak athlete 24/7 (minus a little Alex Abrines).

Oct 21, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Jerami Grant (39) dribbles the ball around Miami Heat forward James Johnson (16) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Philadelphia 76ers defeat the Miami Heat 113-110. Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Singler has been solid for OKC to start the season, but the potential for the Thunder with Jerami Grant on the court is way too juicy. Grant can run in transition like Singler, just with more speed and leaping ability. He’s a better rebounder on both ends of the floor already, plus his potential to grow is infinitely more than 28-year old Singler.

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The only basketball skill Singler has over Grant is his shooting. The problem is that skill hasn’t paid off to start the season; Singler is 1-10 from behind the arc. When Singler is on the court, teams don’t play him like a true three-point threat so he doesn’t help with the Thunder’s spacing issue.

A Westbrook-Oladipo-Grant-Roberson-Adams lineup would be one of the scariest defensive units in the NBA. All long-armed freak athletes; you can’t teach those skills. But you can teach proper defensive communication and rotations to a group of young players.

I love the three-pointer as much as anybody, but this move is a sign that OKC isn’t worried if they struggle behind the arc. With Grant, they have yet another athletic weapon to run the floor with Russ. This roster is built to play defense and run in transition; Grant is simply a better fit than Singler.

Three-point shooting has become the focus for almost every team in the league. By focusing on taking away that shot, OKC is trying to stay one step ahead of everyone else. And that’s how you win championships.

#inPrestiwetrust

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