Nuggets forward Jerami Grant is expected to decline his $9.3MM player option and become an unrestricted free agent, according to Mike Singer of the Denver Post.
Grant could command anywhere from $14-16MM on the open market and will likely have multiple interested suitors, Singer adds. The 26-year-old Syracuse product was a key cog in the Nuggets’ postseason run, averaging 11.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 34.4 minutes per game.
Grant hinted that he would likely opt out earlier this summer, acknowledging his improved play with the team. Although Denver could have strong competition for his services, both sides are clearly interested in reaching a new deal in free agency.
“I’m definitely not leaning towards picking up the player option,” Grant said on Yahoo Sports’ Posted Up podcast back in June, as relayed by Quenton S. Albertie of NuggLove). “Like you said, I feel like I definitely outplayed the $9MM 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.”
Denver acquired Grant in July of 2019 for a first-round pick, starting him in 16 of 19 playoff games this year. In addition to Grant, the Nuggets also have frontcourt players Paul Millsap and Mason Plumlee set to reach unrestricted free agency.
When asked directly if he wanted to be part of the team in the future, Grant gave an honest response. “I’m definitely looking forward to it,” he said, as relayed by Singer. “We’ll see how it goes.”
Grant, an athletic 6’8″ forward, was drafted with the No. 39 pick in 2014 by Philadelphia. He holds career-averages of 9.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 24.5 minutes in six total seasons with the Sixers, Thunder and Nuggets.
He’ll b a laker Bron was scouting him
I saw that too
So he throws away $10M to play for the Lakers?
Bet if he has to take the mid level he goes to one of the la teams over the Rockets for sure
Bet if he had to settle for the MLE he wouldn’t have opted out. You know his agent was making calls to “hypothetically” gauge interest in the market. Because we all know everyone waits until they are allowed to negotiate to discuss contracts lol
Lakers can create space by trading Danny Green and Kuzma for a rookie contract like Kennard
The current version of Danny Green is certainly expendable, and they could have Grant for more or less the same money. But that trade does not work salary-wise.
Detroit would have to agree to use it’s capspace that way. BasRef indicates $37mil. It would be cold by the Lakers, since Green waited for Laker capspace opening last offseason. Detroit may have their own initiatives to try first.
“We’ll see how it goes,” means he wants to get paid first, team preference second.
He ain’t that good, keep him for less $ or let him go, that will give MPJ more run, I mean a guy that gets 3 boards in 34 minutes, even below 6 feet guards can do better than that!
Lol I mean when he defending bron and AD I don’t expect him to grab boards. That man earned his bag.
Oh boy! Can you read? The guy gets 3 RPG as a season average! Who cares about the WCF, SMH!
Ooops, sorry typing mistake, I meant the whole playoffs, not season!
Nuggets should trade away Gary Harris, in order to resign him. Grant was huge for the Nuggets with his defence and his scoring at times.
Think the long term ideal line up would be
Murray Morris Porter Jr Grant Jokic with Barton on the bench
Likely he will be going to Nix or Heat or Raptors depending upon the contract movement on those teams. Might go to the Bulls if there is some sentimental family attachment, but I doubt it.
He has had a great playoff run and this is his best chance to cash in so I think he is on the move. If they had gotten to the Finals the answer might be different.
Another good place for him roster wise would be Minnesota, but not sure what they can afford.
Grant was even better last game, to me cementing a 4/$60 type offer.
When Denver got him, I thought he could be a 20ppg man by connecting with Jokic passes, but he sure took a while to get going and never did connect well. I’m sure he will be on the move.
If Miami loses Crowder or Phoenix deals Oubre he could wind up there. If he goes to ATL he could bench one of their prize picks.
He about to get paid. Good for him. Good dude. Former Cuse!
Denver has Grant’s Bird Rights. He’ll only not be back if he has a desire to play elsewhere for the same price (apparently not) or there’s a price dispute. Neither the cap nor the tax should be relevant.