The Detroit Pistons have become one of the top teams to watch as the NBA trade deadline approaches with Jerami Grant being a key trade target for many teams around the league.
There is a growing belief that Ben Simmons will not end up being moved ahead of the NBA trade deadline and could instead remain a member of the Philadelphia 76ers until the offseason. More attention has been placed on making a deal for Grant by a variety of teams, as a result.
Are the Pistons necessarily sold on the idea of trading Jerami Grant, however? There has been a clear recent emphasis to have Cade Cunningham as the focus of the half-court offense and it’s potentially impacted Grant’s rhythm and in turn his scoring efficiency.
There is reason to believe that Grant can adjust and improve his scoring efficiency. He has fit alongside some top talents in smaller roles during his time in the NBA, whether it was playing alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray with the Denver Nuggets or when playing next to Russell Westbrook and Paul George as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Atlanta Hawks Have Paused Jerami Grant Trade Talks; Could It Change?
According to Marc Stein on The Stein Line, Detroit Pistons GM Troy Weaver has a ‘longstanding affinity’ for Jerami Grant—potentially impacting his desire to part with the wing at the NBA trade deadline.
Two Fridays ago, I wrote about the longstanding affinity Pistons GM Troy Weaver has for Jerami Grant and how that could lead to Detroit rebuffing all the trade interest in Grant at the deadline in a prime potential example of even a supposed selling team refusing to sell. Some rival clubs are now describing what amounts to a split within the organization about keeping or trading Grant … with Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem said to be open to an immediate trade.
It’s been well known that Grant wants to remain a top option in whichever half-court offense he ends up being dealt to. However, the best he appears capable of getting in that regard is a secondary role, as he will end up playing as a member of the Pistons next to Cade Cunningham. As long as he’s content with still being a highly touted scoring option but not the ‘top’ one, there’s plenty of logical trade suitors.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Atlanta Hawks Have Paused Jerami Grant Trade Talks; Could It Change?
The other factor to take into consideration for prospective team when evaluating Jerami Grant as a trade target is his desire to receive a four-year contract extension that surpasses the $100 million threshold. The Sacramento Kings have been linked but it’s unclear if they can pull off a deal.
Among the issues working against a deal: Detroit wants a relative haul for Grant while Grant is said to be seeking a considerable role offensively with a new team as well a four-year contract extension in excess of $100 million. Sacramento has been mentioned this week as a determined Grant suitor but it is unclear whether the Kings can meet the Pistons’ asking price. Atlanta, I’m told, is not actively pursuing Grant (with the obligatory caveat thrown in that there is still time for that stance to change).
There’s been a lot of added layers in recent weeks when it comes to the potential idea of a Jerami Grant for teams around the NBA. It seems as though it has become increasingly challenging for a team to get a deal done, especially with how many competitors there are for a combo forward that can score, defend, and play off the catch.
