The Detroit Pistons came into the season with some dark horse potential. Some believed that they could make a run at an NBA Play-In Tournament spot after adding Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, to a team that had a strong rookie class in 2020 and some solid veterans led by Jerami Grant.
Well, those Play-In dreams have probably been dashed, as the Pistons are currently the worst team in the NBA with a record of 4-22. They are the worst shooting team in the league and have the second-worst offensive rating in the NBA and that is likely to get worse without Grant on the court.
Grant injured his thumb and will be sidelined at least six weeks before being re-evaluated. He is leading the team with 20.1 points per game and his absence will certainly be felt by the team. Without him, Detroit lacks a go-to scoring option.
With how things have gone off the rails this season, could the Pistons consider trading Grant? He is the best trade chip they have, as he is on a cost-efficient contract that he is outperforming and would certainly generate a ton of interest on the trade market.
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That contract is one potential hurdle when it comes to trading him. Similar to the Denver Nuggets’ acquisition of Aaron Gordon at last year’s NBA trade deadline, Jerami Grant will be looking for an extension. The team acquiring him will have to keep that in mind that they are not only surrendering assets but likely long-term money as well.
Another caveat is the role the acquiring team has planned for him. As one NBA executive pointed out, that could be a determining factor in any deal.
“(Grant has) helped his team win in both OKC and Denver,” one front office official said last week, “but if I’m trading for him, does he want to be a role guy after leaving Denver? Maybe it’s more about fit for him, but I don’t know if he’s looking to put up numbers to get his next deal.”
Grant has shown that he can thrive in a vast array of roles. He was a star role player with the Nuggets and has shown he can shoulder more of the load when needed with the Detroit Pistons.
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The Syracuse product likes what is in place in Detroit as he has a great relationship with general manager Troy Weaver. Playing for a black GM and head coach in Dwane Casey is partially what drew Grant to Detroit.
He loves the organization and they love him back. But, given the current state of the team, it is likely best for both sides if Grant is traded before the deadline in February.
Detroit isn’t close to competing and handing out a lucrative extension to Jerami Grant when their young players will be closing in on new deals may not be best for business.
