Jerami Grant Reflects on Trade to Nuggets from 'Sinking Ship' Thunder

Denver Nuggets forward Jerami Grant does not appear to be bothered by his offseason trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder. In fact, it appears as though it was a welcomed change.

"I don't think it was too difficult," Grant said on Monday of being traded from OKC to Denver, per Harrison Wind of DNVR. "There were some things going on in Oklahoma and they kind of got rid of a lot of different pieces. For me it was almost good to get out of a sinking ship."

Grant was one of several veterans OKC moved this offseason. He was moved just two days after the Thunder dealt 2018-19 NBA MVP finalist Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers and less than one week before they traded 2016-17 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets.

Trading George, Westbrook and Grant allowed Oklahoma City to stockpile draft picks as it builds for the future. Meanwhile, Grant moves on to a team that finished second in the Western Conference a season ago with 54 victories.

In other words, Grant appears to be in a better position from a basketball standpoint for the upcoming season, thanks to the trade.

Since being acquired in November 2016, Grant's role increased each season during his time in OKC. Last season, he started 77 games while making 80 appearances overall. He averaged career highs in scoring (13.6 PPG), three-point percentage (39.2 percent) and rebounds (5.2 RPG) in 2018-19.

Grant will now have to adjust to a new system and a new role with the Nuggets. He is "extremely excited" for the opportunity to play in Mike Malone's offense, according to the Denver Post's Kyle Fredrickson.

With Paul Millsap set to enter the final year of his contract, the 25-year-old Grant figures to have an opportunity to show he can hold down the 4 spot in Denver for years to come, per ESPN's Zach Lowe:

"I couldn't really ask for a better situation than I'm in right now," Grant said, per Fredrickson.