The Pistons aren’t a lock to trade Jerami Grant before the February 10 deadline, but the veteran forward may be this winter’s most popular trade candidate, writes Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
“He’s the grand prize of this deadline,” one team strategist told Fischer. “… He fits everywhere.”
“He’s gonna have so many suitors,” an assistant general manager said. “They’re just gonna wait them all out.”
According to Fischer, the Lakers, Trail Blazers, Knicks, Jazz, Wizards, Celtics, Pacers, Timberwolves, and Kings are among the teams that have signaled some level of interest in Grant. Sources tell Bleacher Report that the Pistons are seeking multiple first-round picks, or one first-rounder along with a high-upside young player.
Fischer likens Grant’s situation this season to Aaron Gordon‘s in 2020/21, a comparison Shams Charania made when first reporting Grant’s availability in December. Like Gordon, Grant is a versatile frontcourt defender who has one-and-a-half seasons left on his contract and will be extension-eligible.
That extension eligibility will be important. Any team acquiring Grant will want assurances he’ll sign a new deal, according to Fischer, who hears from sources that the 27-year-old hopes to receive a four-year offer in the range of $112.7MM (the maximum he can get prior to 2023 free agency).
Fischer does share one complicating factor, writing that Grant wouldn’t be enthusiastic about joining a new team that doesn’t feature him as a “primary offensive option.”
Here’s more on Grant:
- A November report indicated that the Pistons may be willing to offer a package of Grant, Kelly Olynyk, Saddiq Bey, and a future first-round pick for Ben Simmons. According to Fischer, the Sixers weren’t particularly enthusiastic about that concept, but when it leaked, it alerted teams that Grant might be available, which has helped accelerate his market.
- Some people around the league view the Wizards as the favorites for Grant, says Fischer, noting that Wes Unseld Jr. coached the forward as an assistant in Denver. Sources tell Bleacher Report that Wizards center Montrezl Harrell, who is on an expiring $9.7MM contract, has been considered available via trade. Harrell could be included in any Washington offer, along with at least one of Rui Hachimura or Deni Avdija, Fischer suggests.
- Fischer classifies the Lakers and Jazz as unlikely destinations for Grant based on the limited assets those teams have to offer. He also downplays the possibility of the Celtics or Grizzlies acquiring the Pistons forward, writing that neither team is expected to seriously pursue him.
- As others have reported, the Bulls don’t appear comfortable with the idea of moving Patrick Williams in a deal for Grant, according to Fischer.
- According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, there’s a belief that the Pelicans will look to be buyers at this year’s trade deadline, and Grant is considered a possible target for them.
Of course PHI wasn’t interested in Grant for Ben, right?
See this is actually a problem with the Simmons situation with the 6ers.With Maxey taking over at the point,they have a solid starting 5.Then ya got Drummond as the back up 5,Niang,Korkmaz and Reed as back up forwards,and Milton and Thybulle backing up the guards.
With that Detroit offer,ya can plug Grant into Greens spot,but then Green and Bey would end up cutting into Thybulles time.I listed him as a guard,but he’s really a 2-3,so adding Grant and Bey would definitely affect him.
This is why the rumored offers ya hear about haven’t worked.Everything ya hear they were offered,they already have someone in that role.What they truly need is a star,and after Simmons is dealt,they won’t have any pieces to be in any conversations for 1.
Considering the salaries that will eventually get moved in any Simmons deal,there’s actually a pretty good chance it carries into the offseason.
Ya, hear ya, If Philly won’t take that deal, they really don’t like any deal. That’s one heck of an offer.
Grant plays better at the 4 than the 3,and he’s not gonna start there over Harris.So one of those 2 would need to move to the 3.
Olynyk and Bey compared to Niang and Korkmaz isn’t much of an improvement.Both comparisons are debatable.
All 3 of those players value drops on the 6ers.
Other way around
Grant is going to end up in NY for a package headlined by Reddish and Toppin
Read details here: link to pistonsblog.com
If that were to happen, Fournier to the bench would be ideal. Even better – somehow include him in the deal and unload a couple of draft picks.
Best to have Fournier off the bench and be that sniper. Grant can start and let RJ play the 2. Fournier could be a good sixth man. Cause he can play the 3 or 2.
No! I want to keep Cam and especially Obi! Obi should be the Knicks starting power forward but Thibs thick head won’t allow Julius to get less than 40 minutes even if he is doing bad. How do you bench a player after putting him in and that player producing on both ends of the court and give him only five minutes playing time? Doesn’t make sense.
I love Toppin.
Bulls are fools not to get Grant. I like Williams and one day he could be like Grant. I doubt much better. But Grant is NOW that guy. He can put Bulls in East Finals. I’d give up Williams yesterday lol.
Love for Knicks to get him. I’ve been wanting him since last year. I’d offer Obi, Quickley, and a 2nd rd pick. Or Noel, Toppin, 2nd rd pick for Grant and Garza.
Just a reminder for the Dinwiddie naysayers. Remember I asked for Dinwiddie, Fournier, Grant. Those were the three I thought we could realistically get to upgrade. We got one Fournier. Now we’ll see if they REALLY listen to me. I want my check ……
For you Dinwiddie hater ———-
He has his team at 23-21. Playing 30.5 mins
14 pts, 6 ast, 5 reb. And he’s not even shooting well. If Knicks had him. We’d be easily 24-18 and fighting for the 4th seed.
Thibs Please go and get Grant. Now that Turner is hurt and out. Grant has to be the guy. NYK
Grant is overrated. Just puts up empty stats on a bad team. What is he so good at? Inefficient scorer. Decent defender but never an all Defensive guy. Someone please explain how he’s suddenly Kevin Garnett…
Yeah Grant kind of reminds me of another guy who put up a vapid 20 ppg on really bad Eastern Conference team … remember that guy Evan Fournier?
He was supposed to juice up the Knicks offense this year. Instead he’s proven that, without a bunch of touches to put up inefficient per game stats, he’s not adding a lot to your team.
Grant’s #s are eerily similar to Fournier’s. And the note about him not wanting to go anywhere where he’s not “prominently featured” – I’d be weary of giving up much for him.
He’s on one of the worst team in the NBA! There’s no such thing when you are the only consistent scorer. This is why Detroit got him & he left a much better team who was willing to pay him 60 million to stay coming off the bench. Farthest thing from overrated.
Seems like a solid deal for Ben Simmons at this point. I don’t understand the Sixers one bit.
Maybe that was Philly’s request? That’s a huge package just with Grant & Bey but throw in a Detroit future first & Kelly Olynyck and that’s seems to be more than Detroit would want to give up.
If Jazz really want him I would take a package around Clarkson and a first definately. I think jazz get him. They have enough interesting young talent and picks also they are desperate to make this team a contender.
Bogdonovich, Butler and a 1st. No need for Bogdonovich since Grant would start at the 4. Still need Clarkson for a sparkplug from the bench.
Not bad.
If those are Grant’s demands (28 mm a year, primary offensive option), then I’d be out on him. He can delude himself into believing he’s that type of player in DET, but the notion wouldn’t survive being with a team that’s even trying to win.
He’d average 12 ppg on a good team. He’s a fourth option at best. People overrated him so much.
He’s going to get more than the 20 million per year he’s getting now so 24 to 28 per year is not out of the question.
It’s certainly not out of the question (and might even be likely) if a team gives up substantial assets in a trading for him. Sounds like he’ll only be happy with the trade if he is a primary option and gets a contract extension he’s looking for. It’s why I’d be out on him. There are better uses of cap space for a team that plans to have it. For teams that won’t in any case, it’s different.
You’re relying on Fisher’s descriptors of Grant’s future mood. There are reasons he left Denver that are not moody.
Grant, F. Jackson(Utah Native), and Tre Lyles(former Jazz) for Clarkson, Ingles, Azibuike, and Lot protect 2022 first.
Best trade of the deadline!
Grant’s “breakout seasons” have seen him put up back to back 20 ppg seasons.
But behind those stats are 16.8 PER on 55% TS at around 27% usage. Basically, he’s putting up 20 ppg because SOMEONE has to – not because he’s particularly efficient at scoring.
Maybe he can add something defensively to your team but on-off #s would say he’s not great on that end either.
Also, he’s a career 34% 3P shooter. So he’s only average at spacing the floor.
In summation, I’m not sure what it is about Grant as a player that would make a team want to spend 20m+ on him annually.
The fact he doesn’t want to play a supporting role (which would be the only role he’s suited for on a contending team) makes the hype even more baffling.
It’s about Grant wanting to play for a contender now. He got his 60 million so a 4 year 100 million he will play any role needed. You don’t know Grant. He showed people he can be a starter and he is a starter even on a playoff team.
Beware of guys who score a lot of points for bad teams. Grant is a useful role player for a good team, as was the case for him in Denver. But not more than that.
See Nikola Vucevic.
Cmon Bleacher Report.
“Grant also has little interest in joining a new situation where he doesn’t feature as a primary offensive option, sources said.”
Oh is that so. “sources” said so, speaking in perfect written english. How about crediting him with some complexity and cleverness, and NBA brothers and what they brag on to each other.