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NBA Mock Draft Pick #18 -- Jerian Grant, Guard, Notre Dame
SB Nation's Rockets blog, The Dream Shake, explains the pick:
With the 18th pick, the Rockets go against what many predicted from them (Tyus Jones, still on the board) and select Notre Dame senior Jerian Grant. Grant was one of the best players in the country last year and provides ideal size (6-4) as a running mate for James Harden. Grant needs to work on his jumper, but his defensive ability and ballhandling will compensate as he improves from outside (which he will).
Jones is the analytical darling and had an outstanding freshman year at Duke. But he's 6-foot-nothing and runs and jumps worse than Jason Terry. He can shoot (37 percent from deep last year) but isn't exactly a deadly option. Grant is more physically ready to play high minutes in 2015-2016, when the Rockets will be all in for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
1) Minnesota Timberwolves: KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS
2) Los Angeles Lakers: JAHLIL OKAFOR
3) Phoenix Suns (via Philadelphia 76ers): D'ANGELO RUSSELL
4) New York Knicks: JUSTISE WINSLOW
5) Orlando Magic: WILLIE CAULEY-STEIN
6) Philadelphia 76ers (via Sacramento Kings): MARIO HEZONJA
7) Denver Nuggets: EMMANUEL MUDIAY
8) Boston Celtics (via Detroit Pistons): KRISTAPS PRIZINGIS
9) Utah Jazz (via Charlotte Hornets): MYLES TURNER
10) Philadelphia 76ers (via Miami Heat): STANLEY JOHNSON
11) Indiana Pacers: CAMERON PAYNE
12) Utah Jazz: DEVIN BOOKER
13) Miami Heat (from the 76ers via the Phoenix Suns): FRANK KAMINSKY
14) Oklahoma City Thunder: KELLY OUBRE
15) Atlanta Hawks: BOBBY PORTIS
16) Detroit Pistons (via Boston Celtics): JUSTIN ANDERSON
17) Phoenix Suns (via Milwaukee Bucks): MONTREZL HARRELL
18) Houston Rockets: JERIAN GRANT
20) Toronto Raptors
21) Dallas Mavericks
22) Chicago Bulls
27) Los Angeles Lakers
28) Boston Celtics
29) Brooklyn Nets
15) Atlanta Hawks
16) Boston Celtics
17) Milwaukee Bucks
18) Houston Rockets
20) Toronto Raptors
21) Dallas Mavericks
22) Chicago Bulls
27) Los Angeles Lakers
28) Boston Celtics
29) Brooklyn Nets