Another potential option in the transfer portal for Michigan Basketball

Breaking down another potential option for the Wolverines if Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabate stay in the NBA draft and Michigan basketball hits the transfer portal. 

We have speculated on possible transfer portal targets for the Wolverines should they lose Caleb Houstan, Moussa Diabate, or both.

The deadline to withdraw from the NBA draft and return to college is June 1 and Michigan basketball will know soon enough what their roster situation will be.

It seems likely that Caleb Houstan is going to remain in the draft after another mock draft projected him to go 25th overall to the Spurs. The same draft had Moussa Diabate going undrafted and it feels like there is a better chance he will return at this point.

If Michigan does have one spot open and Houstan is the departure, the Wolverines will need to look for some shooting help in the transfer portal. A wing or guard would also be worth trying to add as U-M is thin on backcourt depth and could use a combo-wing of sorts, one that can play the two-guard role as needed.

As luck would have it, a player who could be perfect for the Wolverines entered the transfer portal on Tuesday after taking his name out of the NBA draft and that’s Jacob Grandison out of Illinois.

Why Jacob Grandison to Michigan basketball would make sense

Grandison is a 6-foot-6 combo guard who transferred to Illinois after playing at Holy Cross. He sat out and while he entered the portal after the deadline to be able to play next season, a waiver is possible and it seems like the NCAA gives them out like candy.

Grandison was unranked coming out of high school but has been an effective player. He shot 41 percent from 3-point range over the past two seasons with Illinois and is a career 37-percent shooter from beyond the arc.

Last season, he made 1.8 3-point attempts per game while shooting 41 percent. Since he’s 6-foot-6 and could potentially play multiple spots, as well as provide shooting, Michigan should absolutely kick the tires if Houstan doesn’t return.

Grandison is 24-years old and is a graduate transfer just like Duke’s Joey Baker, another player Michigan should target if Houstan stays in the draft. Both need waivers but that doesn’t seem like a huge obstacle.

A one-year stop-gap would be ideal for the Wolverines and their future recruiting plans, while also giving the team a better chance to win next season thanks to some veteran help.

Shooting was an issue last season and if Michigan loses Houstan and doesn’t add a shooter in the transfer portal, it’s hard to see how it won’t be an issue again in 2022-23.