June 29, 2018

Jerian Grant
PG - 6’4, 198lbs - 25 years old - 3 years of experience

Given a lot of playing time this season, Grant successfully proved what he is and what he isn’t.

What he is is a good third guard. Grant is best when looking to score via the jump-shot, both mid-range and from outside. If he can work the ball around off of that and record some assists that way, it is better than asking him to run a team and bring the ball up every time. He is not the biggest, most explosive player nor does he have the best handle, but he is solid enough in all areas, and is a pretty good shooter off the dribble.

What he isn’t is an NBA lead guard. Grant played the point and primary playmaking roles to begin the season, and although the numbers he returned (except his three-point shooting) were fine, the results were not pretty. It is true that he had to run with some pretty terrible offensive line-ups. But it is also true that his inability to break down a defence and kick/hit cutters regularly is partly why those units were so turgid. When Grant did get to the rim, he was too readily deterred from challenging in the trees, and in not wanting to commit turnovers, he would overdribble and lose offensive rhythm. In not wanting to make errors, he took no risks, and thus moved no defences.

Nevertheless, when moving back into the right sort of role upon Kris Dunn’s return, Grant’s play improved. Defensively fairly solid at both guard spots, Grant should play a good few NBA seasons as a depth option, and is the kind of player that the Oklahoma City Thunder (for example) would very much have benefitted from this season. Just don’t ask him to do too much, for he will instead do too little.

Player Plan: One year of rookie scale salary remaining. Extension eligible but it seems unnecessary considering his spot on the team is unclear anyway.

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June 29, 2017

Jerian Grant
PG, 6’4, 195lbs, 24 years old, 2 years of experience

Sometimes capable of being an admirable fill-in, yet often guilty of trying to do too much, Grant was the second best point guard option on the team, but one with his own distinct shortcomings. A willing driver, the upside of Grant’s aggressiveness going towards the basket was in some points at the rim that no other point guard option could be relied upon, while the downside was some wild drives, too many pull-ups and some turnovers. Grant spots up from outside fairly well and, with his size and athleticism, could be a shooting, driving, defending, secondary ball handler type if he can cut down on the mistakes, play in transition, stop trying to post up and continues to grow defensively, where he shows promising signs.

Player Plan: Two years of rookie scale salary remaining. A good role playing guard, projecting as a good backup with occasional starting duties. One of the better young pieces, which is of course a very relative statement.

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April 15, 2017

At point guard, Chicago has five options. The remarkably inconsistent Rajon Rondo, who turned his play around down the stretch of the season but who had struggled so badly prior that almost got bought out at one point, is flanked by the far younger quarter of Jerian Grant, Michael Carter-Williams, Cameron Payne and the small shooting guard that is Isaiah Canaan. All five, particularly the latter four, and even more particularly the latter three, have been consistently unreliable (although Grant emerged as the season went on as the less ball-dominant presence who could pick his spots alongside Wade and Butler).

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