Detroit Pistons fans should have high expectations for Jerami Grant

Jerami Grant will be a foundational piece for the Detroit Pistons’ rebuild moving forward. Fans can expect the Grant to make an immediate impact on both ends of the floor.

No matter how Detroit Pistons fans feel about the Jerami Grant signing, one thing is for sure: It came as a surprise.

No one expected to see breaking news involving Grant and the Pistons, let alone see that he was signing a three-year deal worth $60 million.

At 26-years-old, Grant was coming off his best season as a pro and more importantly a national showcase for the Denver Nuggets in the bubble.

Many knew that Grant’s value dramatically increased in the last year, but few expected him to get a deal worth $20 million a season.

As more details began to emerge on the deal, it became clear right away that the Pistons did not overpay. It was reported that Denver offered the same exact deal, but Grant was enticed by Detroit’s promise of a bigger offensive roll.

In a vacuum, this is a move that Pistons fans should be ecstatic about. Grant is a versatile forward, entering his prime, that willingly chose to go to Detroit. What’s not to love?

The problem here is about the context. The Grant signing came on the heels of a few puzzling moves, including other big men Mason Plumlee and Jahlil Okafor. The Pistons also drafted a rookie center in Isiah Stewart.

Combing through all of the different signings can be confusing. I’d be the first to admit that some of Troy Weaver’s moves left me wondering if there is more, but the truth is most of these players won’t be in Detroit long enough for fans to remember.

The Pistons are rebuilding the best way that Troy Weaver knows how. Draft well, sign players to movable contracts, and take a chance a young, versatile players.

That’s exactly what Grant is. He has immense potential and is much more foundational of a piece for the Pistons moving forward than Plumlee or Okafor are.

Most of the other pieces are expendable. Grant is part of the foundation.

Profile

Grant is 26-years-old and has already been in the league for 6 seasons. He was drafted out of Syracuse by the “Process” 76ers in the second round.

At 6’9, 210 pounds, the Sixers knew they were getting a versatile, lanky prospect who had shown promise that he can add different skills.

He was then moved to Oklahoma City, where he really began to emerge in the 18-19 season, averaging 13.6 points per game in 32 minutes. It was during this season where Grant added a reliable jump shot and began to become an offensive factor.

Last season for Denver, Grant doubled down and improved on just about every aspect of his game. He became great at moving without the ball. This was especially lethal with playmakers such as Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray at the helm.

All of this improvement came to a head during the NBA’s restart in the bubble. Grant was able to showcase his skills for a national audience almost every night. He scored a playoff career high, 26 points, against the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, while defending either LeBron James or Anthony Davis on every possession.

The biggest theme so far for Grant’s time in the NBA has been steady improvement. Now for the Pistons, he needs to make his biggest leap yet.

Offensive Skillset

The jump shot is key for Grant. His best value is a spot up shooter either off the pick-and-roll or through simple ball movement.

He has always been fantastic in transition and as a lob catcher, it is the consistent shot that now sets him apart.

Attempting just 20 three pointers in his two seasons in college, no one really expected him to be able to knock down shots like this.

Grant shot 38.9 percent from three last season and 39.2 percent the season before. Any player can have an anomaly season where they shoot the ball well, but he has shown that this efficiency is here to stay.

While the per game averages don’t jump off the page from the last season (12 points per game), Grant was only attempting about 9 shots a game. This number should increase in Detroit.

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As mentioned earlier, Grant chose the Pistons for hopes of an increased offensive roll. With that change, fans can expect a learning curve.

84 percent of Grant’s made shot attempts last season were assisted. He will go from playing in space created by two star players, to a roster that doesn’t make much offensive sense.

He will need to learn how to better create his own shot, create off the dribble, and create for others.

The biggest leap in his game will need to happen on the offensive end. From the sounds of it, he is up for the challenge.

Defensive Skillset

While Grant’s offensive game will require growth and improvement, his defense will make an immediate impact.

During Denver’s playoff run, Grant defended wings like Donovan Mitchell, forwards like Kawhi Leonard and Lebron James, and then found himself guarding Anthony Davis. This is the definition of versatility.

Very few players in the league can guard all five positions. Almost zero can defend all five at a high level.

Grant uses his length and athleticism to contest shots, interrupt passing lanes, and create deflections. He was the Nuggets best defender last season.

For Detroit, Grant will immediately become the player who guards the other team’s best player. This will be huge in the East as he could be tasked with stopping Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Ben Simmons, and Joel Embiid.

Overall

Grant immediately raises the Pistons talent level. He possess one of the more versatile skillsets in the NBA and has shown the ability to continue to add to his game.

It is unclear how the Pistons plan to use him alongside the other players they have acquired, but the ability to go small with him at the four and Griffin at the five will be valuable.

Most of the coverage around this signing has been about what Denver is losing in Grant. The Pistons gain all of this value — and then some.

For Pistons fans, this is encouraging. Detroit had to provide a big enough value or opportunity for a player to leave one of the top 5 teams in the NBA. This doesn’t happen that often for small market franchises.

Although this signing won’t make headlines, this is exactly the type of “under-the-radar” move that contenders have made in past.

Jerami Grant possesses the defensive prowess that traditional Pistons fans will love and the versatility that has become one of the more coveted assets.

What’s not to love?