Oklahoma City Thunder Commit To Vision With Recent Moves

Sep 23, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5), Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) pose for portraits during Oklahoma City Thunder media day at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 8, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Jerami Grant (39) against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavaliers won 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Small-Ball Possibilities

In 2015-16, Jerami Grant faced 10.6 field goal attempts per game and held opponents to 41.1 percent shooting—4.2 percent below their average. He did so on a Philadelphia 76ers team that won 10 games and gave its players minimal reason to try hard for 82 games.

As for the basic statistics, Grant averaged 9.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 offensive boards, 1.8 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 0.7 steals in 26.8 minutes per game.

Standing at 6’8″ with a near 7’3″ wingspan, Grant has the physical profile to play as a small-ball power forward. That could put him alongside Adams at the 5, Roberson at the 3—or the 4 if Grant plays the 3—Oladipo at the 2, and Westbrook at point guard.

There’s a glaring absence of shooting proficiency in that five-man lineup, but the defensive potential is undeniably versatile and elite.

Roberson, Grant, and Adams can all crash the boards, fill the lane on the fast break, make accurate outlet passes, and finish above the rim. Adams and Grant are both quality rim protectors, while Oladipo and Westbrook can lock down guards when focused.

This is more of a long-term projection than a guaranteed lineup, but the Thunder have an opportunity to build a small-ball rotation that can lock opposing teams down.