The Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired Jerami Grant from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Ersan Ilyasova and a protected first round pick in a cap-clearing move.
Thunder general manager Sam Presti has been a busy man in recent days. Yesterday, OKC committed $184 million in contract extensions to guard Victor Oladipo and center Steven Adams. With those deals figured out, Presti turned his attention towards the cap and acquiring a young, controllable player for little return.
Thunder have been pursuing a deal for Jerami Grant for several months, and finally struck a deal for him. Teams are finishing trade call now
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 1, 2016
The 22-year-old small forward was rushed into big minutes on terrible 76ers teams since getting drafted in the second round in 2014. Grant played 20+ minutes per game in both 2014-15 and 2015-16, solely because Philadelphia didn’t have any better options. Grant proved to be a poor shooter (especially from three-point range) and often looked over his head on the court. There might seem like little incentive for the Thunder to acquire Grant, but he’s got legitimate defensive potential.
When Grant shines, he really shines. Using his impressive length, Grant can be an excellent rim protector. Grant’s also used his athleticism to throw down thunderous dunks on occasion. The former Syracuse standout is far from a finished product, but will add immediate depth to a weak position for the Thunder.
If Grant fails in OKC, the Thunder aren’t on the hook for long, as his contract is non-guaranteed this season and next.
The Vertical’s Bobby Marks reports the Thunder will go under the cap by more than $7 million with the trade, meaning that OKC both cleared cap and got a potential rotation player in this deal.
Jerami Grant contract is non-guaranteed for this season and in 2017-18. OKC will go $7.1m under the salary cap with this trade.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 1, 2016
The 76ers are looking for some immediate help with the deal (Sam Hinkie wouldn’t be pleased). Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports the 76ers intend to keep Ilyasova as a stretch four. His presence means Philadelphia will carry five PF/C’s not including the injured Nerlens Noel or Ben Simmons.
ESPN sources say that the Sixers made the trade to KEEP Ersan Ilyasova. They've wanted a stretch four to help Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 1, 2016
A few seasons ago, Ilyasova looked like a solid NBA starter. In recent years, the 29-year old hasn’t shown the same promise as he did earlier in his career with Milwaukee. Ilyasova is a fine three-point shooter (which is, interestingly enough, one of the Thunder’s biggest weaknesses) but outside of that, isn’t much of anything. He’s on OK rebounder and still can be a rotation guy in the NBA, but the Thunder quickly moved his salary at first chance. Ilyasova should stretch the floor for Philadelphia and help post-presences Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor.
The first-round pick the 76ers acquire is basically two seconds.
https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/793537827892002816
The future first round pick that OKC sends to Philly is protected 21-30 and will turn into two second round picks if not conveyed.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 1, 2016
The 76ers had the necessary cap room to take on Ilyasova’s final year at $8.4 million.
The deal makes sense for both sides, as it helps each club’s depth but doesn’t really address weaknesses. The Thunder are betting on Grant’s upside and if he doesn’t pan out, they at least cleared Ilyasova at little cost. The 76ers are helping out their bigs by adding a rotational piece who can be dealt when they fall from playoff contention. It’s a somewhat weird, yet understandable trade.
