Steve's Thunder Blog: Let's Make A Deal

<p>Our Thunder reporter Steve McGehee blogs about the Thunder's trade to acquire Jerami Grant from Philadelphia in exchange for Ersan Ilyasova and a protected pick. </p>

Tuesday, November 1st 2016, 5:38 pm

By: News 9

Three games into the season and Sam Presti is doing what he's known for, putting together the best possible team he can under the financial umbrella. Who knows? by the time I land in Los Angeles another trade may be delivered.

Securing Steven Adams and Victor Oladipo was priority number one. I sure hope they can keep Andre Roberson, he becomes a restricted free agent this summer. Sure we all know about his shooting woes, but he's a feisty defender with a knack for making much needed blocks, sometimes in crunch time. Andre may have to settle for less cash in Oklahoma City if he wants to stay with the winning franchise.

Ersan Ilyasova is on the move again. Presti on Tuesday sends the forward and a protected pick to Philadelphia for forward Jerami Grant and a trade exception. Grant is only 22-years old, so his potential is unknown, but he appears to be on the rise. Sam and company already knew what Ersan offered each game, Ersan shaves nearly $8 million off the bottom line. The former Syracuse player steps into Oklahoma City with an average of 8.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.38 blocks in a little three seasons. Grant gives the Thunder an athletic presence in the paint with better than average shot blocking abilities. I can already picture the Russ to Grant alley-oop.

Grant should flourish with the Oklahoma City, if he has any issues of working hard, take it up with Russ, Steven and Victor, but I doubt it. I still haven't landed, any more trades before the Clippers game?