The Detroit Pistons are reportedly trying to come to an agreement on a long-term contract extension to keep forward Jerami Grant with the team.
This was first reported by James Edwards III at The Athletic:
The current expectation is that Jerami Grant eventually signs with the Pistons long term, @JLEdwardsIII writes.
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) September 14, 2021
"At 27, Grant is an important piece of what Detroit is building."
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I think this is great news for the Detroit Pistons and Jerami Grant, who have had a mutually beneficial relationship so far, one that could continue for the entirety of his prime.
Grant currently has one of the best contracts in the NBA, especially when you compare it to some of the other ridiculous deals that were handed out this summer (I’m looking at you Lonzo Ball and Aaron Gordon).
In fact, if you were to re-grade the Grant signing, Troy Weaver would be taking home A pluses all around.
But what about the future? Is Jerami Grant a guy the Detroit Pistons could regret signing to a long-term deal? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons when it comes to player development, salary and team culture.
Detroit Pistons: Jerami Grant and the development of the young players
Pro: Jerami Grant is exactly the type of player the Detroit Pistons are trying to build around. He is tough and hard working, a guy with a non-stop motor who sets an example on the court with his hustle and team play.
He will be a great mentor to the young players on the Pistons’ roster, and the best part is that he is not blocking anyone. Now that they have traded Sekou Doumbouya, the Pistons don’t have a young player at his position, so Grant is not taking anyone’s developmental minutes.
Even if the Pistons did have a young power forward, Grant can play all over the place, with versatility that will fit with just about any group the Pistons want to run out there.
Con: The only con I can think of is that Jerami Grant led the team in usage last season and could take shots from young players. But Grant is a team guy, so as some of these youngsters are ready to assume bigger roles, his usage will go down and he will defer to guys like Cade Cunniningham
Verdict: Sign him now! There is literally no downside to having Jerami Grant long-term when it comes to player development. He is an asset, a great teammate and is not taking minutes from anyone.