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2018-19 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Jerian Grant

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Jerian Grant #22 of the Orlando Magic in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Amway Center on January 29, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Jerian Grant #22 of the Orlando Magic in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Amway Center on January 29, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Jerian Grant, Orlando Magic
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 21: Jerian Grant #22 of the Orlando Magic passes against the Chicago Bulls at United Center on December 21, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

2020 Outlook

Jerian Grant’s rookie contract is now at its end. He is set to become at best a restricted free agent. But it does not seem likely the Orlando Magic will extend a qualifying offer his way.

With Orlando already pretty close to the salary cap number and not a lot of cap maneuverability to be had, the team probably does not want to tie itself any further with money wrapped up in a restricted free agent.

Not that Orlando did not already make the decision on Grant already in sitting him midway through the season.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

All credit should go to Grant for taking his demotion from the rotation well. He stayed prepared and engaged with his teammates even with little prospect for playing. He stayed professional and took advantage of whatever minutes he could get.

But the situation was not right for him. The Magic found a better option and moved on. There seems to be no chance Orlando will re-sign him this offseason. And so he will turn into the unrestricted free agent market.

And with Grant out of the rotation by midseason, there seems little chance he will get a real opportunity for playing time in the NBA next year. Grant will likely have to scratch his way through a training camp to get to the end of the bench, being a bit too old for a two-way contract.

In all likelihood, then, Grant’s time in the NBA is on life support if not already over. Getting taken out of the rotation as he was for the Magic does not bode well for another team taking an interest in him.

The team gave him every opportunity to make his mark in the rotation and he failed to do so. He was clearly one of the negatives on the roster, with only a few blips of encouraging play but nothing much to speak of.

The bottom line is, he certainly will not be back with the Magic next year.