The most surprising player from each NBA team this season
By Connor Learn
Oklahoma City Thunder: Jerami Grant
It’s easy to buy into Jerami Grant’s potential. Son of former NBA player Harvey Grant, nephew of former All-Star Horace, and brother of Bulls guard Jerian, he hails from an athletic family. Standing 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, Grant makes the type of athletic plays that stand out in NBA games. He has the potential to develop into a starter in the league at just 22 years old.
Jerami Grant declared for the 2014 NBA Draft after two seasons at Syracuse. He earned over 20 minutes per game for the lowly 76ers as a rookie and flashed promise. Grant saw his minutes rise and even started 52 games for Philadelphia in his second season. He averaged 9.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game and got better as the season progressed. The 76ers, with a logjam on the wing position, dealt Grant to the Thunder early this season in exchange for Ersan Ilyasova and a future first round pick.
The idea behind bringing Jerami Grant to Oklahoma City was to have him challenge Andre Roberson for minutes, possibly even replace him in the starting lineup. Though his skills may be more suited for the power forward position, Grant is a better shooter than Roberson and can emulate his role on the team. Grant has shot fairly efficiently, but is really yet to hit his stride with the Thunder as Ilyasova is submitting a good season in Philadelphia. Add in that future draft pick and trading for Grant could be a costly decision for the Thunder if his play doesn’t improve.