It’s now the time of year where NBA prospects head around the country doing workouts for various teams — an exciting time both for the players and fan bases, all but a few of whom have had to suffer through watching a postseason that does not contain their team.

The Toronto Raptors, eliminated in particularly dire fashion, are reportedly working out Notre Dame Fighting Irish star Jerian Grant. On the surface, I don’t know if this is the right pick, or even if it’s the right direction to take in the draft. Grant is a guard, and the Raptors’ backcourt was overcrowded this season. Kyle Lowry is, as it stands, the franchise player, and I’m not sure I like how he fits with Grant on the court.

However, we simply don’t know what is going to change with this Raptor team. Greivis Vasquez, Lou Williams, DeMar DeRozan, Terrence Ross and even Lowry could well be traded this offseason. In that case, perhaps Grant is the guy.

I do like Grant’s game, though. To me, it’s the perfect game to translate seamlessly from college to the NBA. He’s a “drive-and-kick” specialist, and this skill has become so crucial in the pros, perfected by such stars as John Wall, LeBron James and James Harden. He also has great size for a point guard, without the slowness that size often brings along. He can shoot the basketball, and from what I can tell has great instincts on the court. I see him as a little bit of Jrue Holiday mixed with some Michael Carter-Williams — both effective players in this league when healthy.

There are other options likely to be available for the Raptors at pick No. 20, but Grant is worth a look in workouts. If he really impresses, I have no problem with the franchise drafting him. The hole at power forward needs to be addressed, but that could well be done with a trade or through free agency.

Casey Sherman is the Toronto Raptors Beat Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @shermham

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