Pistons forward Jerami Grant is one of the players on the Sixers‘ list of targets for a potential Ben Simmons trade, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Pompey also confirms Sam Amick’s report that James Harden is on Philadelphia’s list.
Amick reported on Thursday that the 76ers have a list of about 30 impact players whom they view as possible targets in a Simmons trade. Philadelphia believes several of those players could become available via trade within the next year or two, which is why the front office remains in no rush to resolve the Simmons situation. Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal are among the other stars on the club’s radar.
According to Pompey, the Sixers have engaged in discussions with the Pistons about the possibility of trading Simmons for a package that would include Grant, another forward, a young player, and a draft pick. One source told Pompey that Kelly Olynyk and Saddiq Bey are players that could be included in a possible deal between Philadelphia and Detroit, but another source said the Pistons would be unlikely to include either Olynyk or Bey.
Although one source told Pompey that the Sixers haven’t spoken to Detroit lately and would likely want a higher-profile player than Grant as the centerpiece of a Simmons deal, multiple sources said the two teams have had recent conversations centered around Grant.
A former Sixer, Grant has taken huge strides since last playing for the team in 2016. In 67 games (33.6 MPG) since joining the Pistons a year ago, the 27-year-old has averaged 21.5 PPG and 4.6 RPG on .425/.343/.841 shooting.
Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report first reported last month that there was a belief the Pistons would entertain the idea of moving Grant in a deal for Simmons.
As for Harden, Pompey explains that the Sixers view the former Rocket as a possible sign-and-trade option in free agency next summer if they still haven’t dealt Simmons by that point. Harden didn’t sign an extension with the Nets prior to opening night last month and can opt out of his contract in 2022.
Harden has spoken about wanting to remain in Brooklyn for the rest of his career, so his decision to forgo an extension may have been more about trying to maximize his future earnings than about keeping his options open to jump ship. Still, it’s not inconceivable that he could consider other suitors as a free agent next summer if the Nets underachieve this season. Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is obviously very familiar with Harden due to their time spent together in Houston.
Harden is off to a slower-than-expected start this season, but is still putting up 20.3 PPG, 8.8 APG, and 7.6 RPG with a .395 3PT% through 16 games (34.4 MPG).
I like Grant but, he’s a role player on a good team.
Grant off the bench is better than Simmons refusing to play though. Injured onlynyk is better even, he would want to play more than bobby
They still need to go big game hunting.
The Sixers don’t have the proper ammo needed to go big game hunting. Ben’s current trade value is closer to a BB gun than a 12-gauge.
Yeah, Grant scoring 18 a game for Detriot, which is average this year, translates to 12 a game for Philly.
With all due respect, think you are wrong. Grant is an excellent player. A starter on just about any team. Detroit would be crazy to want to trade Grant for Simmons.
He’s not “excellent.” He’s inefficient and a poor rebounder and passer. If I’m Morey and I like Grant it’s as a second or third piece of a deal.
If I’m Detriot, I’m making that deal ASAP! Grant is good, not great.
Disagree with you completely. If I’m Detroit, why would I want to trade Grant, Detroit’s best player for Simmons, a player with issues?
Simmons has shooting issues,but is still a 1st team all defensive player,and a player capable of putting up multiple triple doubles a year.
All the mental health issue is wanting out of Philly,and him wanting his checks in the meantime.
@rgreen
but why have your best player be one with so many holes in their offensive side of the ball? plus why bring it a primary ball handler that’s going to take three ball out of Cunningham’s hands so early in his career?
I was just responding to the “issues” side of the comment.
But I still believe his game can develop,if he gets surrounded by the right people.
I agree. Grant isn’t great. He is consistently above average. His inefficient style is more a product of a lack of buckets for the entire team. He is still a great 3 and D wing who is also a locker room leader. Simmons has court vision and defense. Not exactly a superstar in his own right.
I need people to face facts. Simmons is not bringing back anything on the superstar level. If he comes back this year and goes crazy, then maybe. His current value is along the lines of CJ M and J Grant, and that’s the best case scenario.
McCollum and grant aren’t close to the same value. Grant is a 3 and d on a good team, cj is still primary scorer.
CJ is a one dimensional player who doesn’t contribute to actual winning basketball. His value is overrated, IMO
@Theone
by nba standards isn’t Ben somewhat a one or two dimensional player? he can pass, rebound and defend well. But do you want to pay $30 mil per for that and continue to tolerate horrible FT shooting and zero ability to shoot from more than 5ft from the basket? And he’s not a high IQ orchestrator of an offense the way LBJ and Draymond are when they actually read what the defense is doing and break them down.
Passing, rebounding & defending are more important to winning than shooting!
Cj isn’t a winner
Will be interesting to see if Philly resorts to a Simmons + multiple future firsts….push come to shove that might be the only way they get a star return outside of flipping him for Kyrie.
There’s no way they get anyone like Harden Beal, Fox etc. Simmonds value is shot. Kyrie is a terrible call because he is in the same boat.
Id look at Derick Rose and Obi/Quickly- top vet PG for now and a top young guys for the future.
Or Wall & KPJ- proven top PG to help challenge and a future star that can pair well with Maxey for the future.
Holding out for a top star will only make it harder to move him for someone that won’t come available.
Your proposed Knicks and Rockets deals are non starters.
All that tanking just to trade their “prize” for the guy they drafted 7 years ago and traded away…
That’s be funny if they circled back to grant after giving him away
If Philly can get Grant, Olynyk and/or Bey for Simmons, that’s a deal they should be all over. They won’t get more for Simmons than this. For Detroit, I think he’d be a good fit, as long as they utilize him more as a Point Forward as opposed to a Point Guard.
LeBron, MJ, Shaq and Wilt also on the list
Wilt is permanently retired.
Maybe Bill Russell or Kareem?
“Permanently retired.” Lolol
#FreeBenSimmons
He is free to continue to sit at home and count the money he is pissing away…
#whitesupremacy #itsthemankeepingBenDown
Why would anyone give up a Lillard or Beal for this clown show? Give up a franchise guy you can build around for…Ben Simmons? This dude isn’t a contributor on a 76ers team that is already good. Why would Washington or Portland give up their best player to start over with Simmons?
Dame is washout… right now I take Ben over him any day of the week & twice on Sundays!
A washout? Say what? You trippin’
Stats don’t lie… & they say washed out, got it?
Jerami Grant has really grown into a nice offensive player. I love stories like him, Siakam, and others. Guys who just ate gym rats and want to be great. Unlike Simmons, who is an entitled selfish wanna be superstar without shooting the ball player. Guy thinks he’s a superstar in his own mind. Nobody else with a pulse thinks the same way he does. I would love Bulls to go get Grant and shore up the perimeter defense but he would command too much for AK’s liking. I could see a team like Washington going after him? They have a few intriguing young kids in Rui and Devi? Maybe Rui and Bertans and an unprotected 1st for Grant?
I’d take Ben 8 days a week over Grant, once you get Simmons back on the court.
I think both sides have over played their hand at this point. Ben has burned his value down to the ground with his “mentally not ready to play” excuse. What team wants to trade for a guy who is trying to find a way to get paid and not play. If this offer is legit, Sixers should grab it. It would add a ton of depth to the bench. Sure it’s not a star, but the Sixers are fooling themselves to think they can get a star for cry baby selfish soft as tissue Ben Simmons.
PHI is doing OK for now holding the line with Simmons. But if they value a guy like Hayes, then a deal involving Grant and Hayes might be one they should kick the tires on. Realistically, I don’t see DET trading for Simmons with a plan to play Simmons, CC and Hayes together. They would need to swap Hayes for a shooter in the deal for it to work for them.
The Nets aren’t giving up Harden for Simmons in a sign and trade, Morey must have a screw loose if he thinks that will happen. A few years ago Morey was thought of as one of the top GM’s in the NBA, perhaps in any sport. But just like with Simmons, it would seem that Morey’s stock has slid almost as much as the player he’s so desperate to get rid of.
Grant is better than Ben right now. He’s one of best 2way players. I’d take Grant and next yrs #1 pick. I’d love for Knicks to get Grant.
I’d give up Obi1 and Quickly plus a 2nd rd pick. We give back Pistons pick. Love Grant.
My man, Grant is not better than Simmons. Respectfully said, no way, no how. Pistons are so bad no way they give up next year’s no. 1.
As for your Pistons Knicks trade, Detroit might do that, if it’s smart.