Asked directly if he’s leaning towards becoming a free agent, Grant didn’t shy away, telling Haynes “I’m definitely not leaning towards picking up the player option. Like you said, I feel like I definitely outplayed the $9 million that I’m making each year right now. But at the same time… I’d love to come to a conclusion or something like that with Denver, it just depends what we discuss and negotiate when the time comes.”
More on Jerami Grant Free Agency
Making an appearance on Yahoo Sports’ Posted Up with Chris Haynes podcast, Denver Nuggets power forward Jerami Grant discussed a myriad of topics, including his preferred format for the NBA’s return, why the Nuggets are often overlooked, his uncle Horace Grant and his impending player option. Grant, 25-years-old, has a $9.3 million player option for the 2020-21 season after signing a three-year, $27.3 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2018. However, Grant has played the best basketball of his career over the last two seasons, leading to obvious questions of if he believes he can obtain a more lucrative contract in free agency this offseason.
Grant has the option to become one of six free agents for the Nuggets this summer, and keeping him in a Denver uniform has been signaled as a priority for the organization from the moment it surrendered a 2020 first-round pick to pry him from Oklahoma City. The choice for Grant: opt in to the final year of his contract, which would pay him $9.3 million next season, then test unrestricted free agency in 2021; or decline the option and seek a multiyear deal now, be it with the Nuggets or another team.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic paused the NBA season and cast uncertainty on the league’s future financial season, Grant seemed all but assured of turning down the option and signing up for a multiyear contract with an annual payout well into eight figures. But with questions lingering about how much financial damage teams are set to absorb and how much that could alter future spending, the idea of securing guaranteed money on the table may be more appealing.
Still, signs are pointing toward the Nuggets and Grant pushing toward some kind of future commitment. The question is how significant that investment should be.
With free agency potentially looming, it’s a good bet Grant will turn down his $9.3 million player option this upcoming summer and see what he might command in a thin class. How the Nuggets handle both he and Millsap’s impending free agency will likely determine how much flexibility they have this summer. “We’ll see how it goes in the offseason,” Grant said. “It’s definitely all situational, but I’m definitely comfortable here. I love my teammates, love the coaches, everything.”
The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed forward Jerami Grant to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.
“We are thrilled to have Jerami continue his development and career with the Thunder,” said Presti. “Jerami's versatility and overall speed are an important aspect to our effort to evolve and build on our style of play going forward. We believe Jerami's best basketball is in front of him.”
David Aldridge: Jerami Grant deal with OKC (three years, $27M, @wojespn first) includes player option for third year, per source.
Alex Kennedy: One thing I've been hearing: The Oklahoma City Thunder aren't sure that they'll be able to re-sign Jerami Grant. It's possible the 24-year-old gets a bigger offer from another team and they don't keep him.
Royce Young: Jerami Grant to @wojespn at the combine on staying in OKC: “I definitely think it’s a possibility. I know it’s a lot of moving pieces but I definitely think it’s a great possibility me being there. There’s a lot of things they have to figure out but I think it’s a good chance.”
