How This Trade Impacts Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons hit it big last offseason with the Jerami Grant deal. He was looking for a team that would give him a chance at a bigger role and the Pistons were willing to give him that opportunity. It worked out well for both sides.
Grant played well, averaging 22.3 points with 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 0.6 steals in 33.9 minutes per game. Detroit can flip him for even more assets if they chose to, but it sounds like Grant loves being there and the team wants to keep him.
It is unlikely that he would be on the move, especially if he wants to be in Detroit and has as good of a relationship with general manager Troy Weaver as being reported. Alas, should they change their mind and look to move on from Grant, this is a solid package.
Alec Burks is a proven veteran that will give the Pistons a reliable scoring option whether it is in the starting five or coming off the bench. The big prize in this acquisition, however, is Obi Toppin.
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Toppin is blocked by Julius Randle in New York from truly taking off. He showed flashes of his immense talent during the 2021 NBA postseason and was one of the more dominant players in the Las Vegas Summer League.
Unfortunately with the Knicks, he will never get a chance to play major minutes unless an injury to Randle occurs. In this scenario, however, Toppin could step right into a prominent role in the rotation, possibly as even the starting power forward.
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The draft picks will give the Pistons another shot at adding a young player to their roster or trade it for an established veteran. Detroit is on a great path and this trade would keep them on it even with a slight hit financially down the line.
