Jerami Grant was acquired in the Ja Morant trade and is one of the veterans on a Grizzlies team early in their rebuild. Grant should still be productive in whatever role the Grizzlies put him in. But before the season begins, the Grizzlies still face a burning Jerami Grant question. Should Jerami Grant be an undisputed starter, or is he best served coming off the bench?
Despite being in the first year of a rebuild, the Grizzlies find themselves in a very interesting spot. Compared to last season, the frontcourt looks like an enormous strength, and the Grizzlies have a guard room that should provide them solid minutes all season. But the Grizzlies still must figure out the minute distribution for their forwards, and Jerami Grant is a key piece of the puzzle.
Based on recent history, it looks like Jerami Grant will be the starting small forward for the Grizzlies on opening night. Grant is set to make roughly $34.2 million this season and has a $36.4 million player option for the 2027 season. He is also coming off a productive season where he averaged 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 57 regular-season games while shooting 38.9% from three.
While starting Grant early makes sense, it can't be ruled out that there is still a position battle early in the season, similar to what we saw with Marcus Smart and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in recent years.
The Grizzlies could have a decision to make at small forward
Jerami Grant should be helpful to this team as a perimeter shooter and can also pick up full-court defensively. Grant's recent season was encouraging and ended up being a driving force for the Trail Blazers returning to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. Grant gives the Grizzlies another veteran who has experienced playoff basketball, similar to Isaiah Stewart.
Despite those factors, I think the conversation about the starting small forward spot is one worth having even right now. It is extremely important to consider Jerami Grant's 2024/25 season, where he averaged 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists but shot just 37.3% from the field compared to 45.3% this past season.
If the Grizzlies get the Jerami Grant of this past season, it makes plenty of sense to start him. However, if they get the Jerami Grant of the 2024/25 season, the Grizzlies face a serious question of who to start at small forward. Jaylen Wells remains one of the Grizzlies' most valuable defenders and is a solid connective piece on offense.
GG Jackson II is also another player that could be in the mix at the small forward spot thanks to his high-level finishing ability and overall growth as a scorer. Jerami Grant provides plenty of value as a spot-up shooter at his best but has shown struggles as an iso scorer.
If Grant's efficiency is a struggle, it wouldn't come as a surprise if Wells or Jackson II took over in the starting lineup. Plus, there is some logic to having Jerami Grant be a lead scoring option for the second unit.
The Grizzlies have plenty to be excited about this season, but they must solve the burning question of what Jerami Grant's role will be.
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