Fantasy Fallout: Jerami Grant, Ilyasova have chance for fresh start, bigger roles

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Here are the fantasy repercussions following the news that the Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired forward Jerami Grant from the Philadelphia 76ers for Ersan Ilyasova and a protected 2018 first round pick:

On the surface, this trade doesn't really contain an impact fantasy player. Grant and Ilyasova each averaged less than 21 minutes per game through the first week of NBA action, playing supporting roles to the team's stars or blue-chip youngsters.

Now, each player's fantasy-relevant skill sets will have a better opportunity to shine in their new locales. They've officially moved up from the fantasy fringes with a chance at becoming regular streaming options.

Grant, just a 27.8 percent 3-point shooter for his career, found the most success last season in Philadelphia when playing in a role where his defense -- especially shot-blocking -- could shine. He averaged 2.3 stocks (1.6 blocks and 0.7 steals) last season in just under 27 minutes a night.

In category leagues, Grant is worth a speculative add for fantasy owners lacking blocks. Oklahoma City has really struggled defensively with rookie PF Domantas Sabonis on the floor; with Sabonis and the out-going Ilyasova combining for 31 minutes of action per night so far, Grant has an immediate opportunity to get back to 25-plus MPG.

The Thunder frontcourt isn't without quality fantasy bigs, with Steven Adams and Enes Kanter in tow (not to mention the stellar rebounding from guard Russell Westbrook), but OKC now has an opportunity to deploy the 6-foot-8 Grant alongside Adams or Kanter in the frontcourt to stymie lineups where the opponent goes small.

Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor and the eventual return of Nerlens Noel to the rotation made Grant expendable. Instead, Philadelphia hopes that adding a big man with some shooting ability in Ilyasova can open up the floor, especially alongside the range-challenged Okafor, who shot just 27.2 percent from 15 feet or further in his rookie season. Ilyasova shot 37.3 from 15-feet out in 2015-16.

Still, Ilyasova's value is strictly tied to how many minutes he plays. At his statistical peak with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Turk averaged 13.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.4 stocks and 1.1 3PM in 27.6 MPG from 2011-2013.

Barring further injury to the 76ers' core, he'll be hard-pressed to return to those early-career averages, but like Grant, Ilyasova has a shot at re-establishing some of his lost value simply because his abilities fit better with his new team's core.

Overall, both teams will be better off having made this move, with the 76ers' offense having more room to work (a boon to everyone involved) and the Thunder adding a bit of grit to their defense after trading shot-blocking maestro Serge Ibaka in the offseason.