NBA: 10 relative unknowns approaching defining seasons in 2018-19

Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images /
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4. Jerami Grant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Jerami Grant is athletic as all hell, and after receiving a three-year, $27 million extension this summer, he seems like the most likely candidate to fill Carmelo Anthony‘s spot as the starting 4. For someone who’s started in a grand total of 68 games during his four-year career, the 2018-19 campaign is his first real chance to show the world what he’s got.

Grant is a great shot-blocker for a 6’8″ power forward and an electrifying finisher, but it remains to be seen if he can be anything more than the weakest link in the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s starting five. As a career 30.1 percent 3-point shooter, he’ll need to improve his long range touch to open up lanes for OKC’s star perimeter players — or at least be active enough off the ball and on the defensive end to make up for it.

Grant is only 24 years old, so there’s plenty of room for growth in his game. The question is, if Billy Donovan has faith in him as the new starter over Patrick Patterson, what can he bring to the table for a team trying to compete for the Western Conference crown?