Detroit Pistons: Does Jerami Grant fit the championship timeline?

When the Detroit Pistons signed Jerami Grant to a three-year $60 million contract last offseason, no one thought it would turn out to be one of the best value contracts in the NBA.

At the time, Grant was in search of a larger offensive role as he entered the seventh year of his professional career. The 27-year-old cited the opportunity to play for a black GM, a black head coach, and in a city that was majority black as other factors that led to his decision to join Detroit.

It certainly was not the money. Grant’s former team, the Denver Nuggets, were willing to match the contract offer made by first-year Pistons GM Troy Weaver.

Ultimately, Grant left a championship-contending team in favor of the plethora of opportunities afforded to him by the Motor City.

The 27-year-old power forward made the most of his new role as he produced career-high numbers in points per game (22.3), assists per game (2.8), and minutes per game (33.9). Grant quickly became the best player on a competitive Pistons team that struggled to finish games. After the departures of both Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin, the Detroit Pistons were unequivocally Grant’s team.

As a result of Grant’s breakout season, the 27-year-old was named a finalist for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. He would ultimately fall short to the New York Knick’s Julius Randle, who received 12 votes for the MVP award as well. Grant also garnered himself a spot on the United States Olympic team as well.

Detroit Pistons: Where does Jerami Grant fit on the timeline?

Grant has two years remaining on his current contract, and if he continues to play at the level he was able to this past season, there is no doubt he will be in line for a serious pay raise come the 2023 offseason.

But for as good as Grant’s play for Detroit has been, the franchise is still multiple seasons away from deep playoff runs and competing for a championship.

By the 2023 offseason, Grant will be 29. Midway through that next season, he will reach the wrong side of 30.

Detroit is not likely to be ready to compete for a championship, let alone deep playoff runs at that point in the power forwards career. And while Weaver’s restoration appears to be progressing well, a true timeline for contention is not yet clear.

While it is no guarantee, many NBA players begin to decline once they pass the age of 30. Grant could very well still be an All-Star caliber player by the time his contract expires, but there is no guarantee he can continue that level of play as he continues to age.

These factors beg the question of whether or not Grant fits the timeline for this young Detroit Pistons team. Ultimately, before Grant’s contract expires, Weaver will have to make a decision on whether to maximize his trade value or re-sign the breakout star to a lucrative contract extension.