Detroit Pistons Receive: C Thomas Bryant, G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 2022 First-Round Pick (No. 10 – WAS)
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: F Jerami Grant
Washington Wizards Receive: G D’Angelo Russell, 2022 First-Round Pick (No. 19 – MIN)
This deal leaves both the Washington Wizards and Minnesota Timberwolves looking stronger in 2022-23. In each case, that strength comes at the expense of the future.
The Wizards trade out of the lottery in their efforts to land Russell here. They need to receive the Wolves’ first-rounder in return in accordance with the Stepien rule.
Dropping from 10th to 19th in the draft is significant. It may be worth their while. A Russell/Beal backcourt flanked by Kuzma, Kristaps Porzingis, Deni Avdija, Rui Hachimura and others could actually make some noise in the Eastern Conference next season.
Meanwhile, the Wolves add their floor-spacing, defensively stout 4 in Jerami Grant. He’s a generally stronger player than Kuzma. They’ll be trading out of the draft altogether, but if they can advance in the postseason next year, they won’t complain.
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Finally, the Detroit Pistons get a nice return for Grant here. Thomas Bryant, at 24, could be their center of the future. When healthy, his ability to space the floor and finish pick-and-rolls should make him a great complementary piece alongside Cade Cunningham. More significantly, they land the 10th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
