National Basketball Association

CBS Sports Lists Jerian Grant as Bulls' Most Underrated Player

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Among the representatives for CBS Sports’ “Most Underrated Player on Each Team” piece, Jerian Grant was the name listed for the Chicago Bulls.

In recent years, Jimmy Butler and Nikola Mirotic would have probably been chosen as the most underrated player on the Chicago Bulls roster. For CBS Sports NBA columnist Matt Moore, he looked to a newer (and younger) option as his most underrated Bull: Jerian Grant.

Grant has only one year of NBA experience under his belt and it was trapped on a horrible New York Knicks team last season. Although he didn’t show much in his rookie campaign, there’s still some potential for the second-year man out of nearby Notre Dame.

When Moore explained why he chose Grant as the most underrated player on the Bulls roster, here’s what he had to say:

Grant had a hard time getting time for the Knicks last year. You know how it is for rookies when they’re on contending teams. Oh wait, the Knicks were awful. Well, it’s probably his fault and not the system’s. Oh wait, the Triangle is a mental prison for point guards. Grant is a terror in transition and has a natural aggressiveness to him that could absolutely thrive in Fred Hoiberg’s system. This kid can play. In the end, he could end up being another salvaged refugee from what the Triangle does to point guards.

Personally, I agree with Moore’s choice.

Guys like Butler, Mirotic, Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo are obviously not eligible for a distinction like this, but others like Denzel Valentine (who hasn’t played in an official NBA game yet) can’t exactly be included in the running either.

I was high on the Bulls taking Grant in the 2015 draft at No. 22, but a Knicks trade with the Washington Wizards on draft night spoiled any thoughts of Gar Forman and Notre Dame alum John Paxson of taking him.

Grant struggled at times during his stint with the SummerBulls in Las Vegas this summer, but he came on strong late and won the title game’s MVP award.

Moore’s right. Grant can play.