Re-drafting the 2014 NBA Draft: Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic
18. . PF. Boston Celtics. Jerami Grant. 6. player
Re-drafting the 2014 NBA Draft — 6. Jerami Grant
A former Sixers second-round pick who didn’t take off until he left the franchise, Jerami Grant saw his production blossom in two seasons with Detroit. Now, he’s going to Portland where he will team up with Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons. A good fit, even if Grant will need to recalibrate his offensive approach a bit.
Grant checks a lot of boxes in the modern NBA. At 6-foot-9, he can guard all over the floor. Slot him at the four and have him protect the weak side of the rim, or attach him to the opposition’s best wing scorer. He can move his feet with guards, fight over screens, block shots — he’s a dynamic and winning defender. On offense, he buries 3s and finishes effectively off of long, galloping strides to the rim.
He wasn’t the most efficient No. 1 scorer in Detroit, but Grant has all the makings of a great No. 2 star. He can beat size mismatches in the post, or he can stretch slower defenders out to the 3-point line and beat them with speed off the dribble. Those attributes, combined with his defense, earns him lofty status in this re-draft.