The Detroit Pistons have lost their seventh game in a row and currently have the second worst record in the NBA.
Most fans understand that this is a rebuild but are still somewhat disappointed that the Pistons have only won four games so far this season and appear to have taken a step back, especially offensively.
I am still holding out hope that the Pistons will play competitive basketball at some point this season and win a few games, but it’s not unrealistic that they will end up with a top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft if things don’t turn around soon.
If this season continues as is, the Pistons will have to give some thought to what they are going to do with Jerami Grant and whether they should try to replace him in the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft.
Should the Detroit Pistons sign Jerami Grant long term?
I’ve talked about the pros and cons of signing Grant to a long-term deal and I think you could talk me into either side depending on the day.
Grant is the type of hard-working player Detroit loves and he actually chose to come here, so the Pistons have to think carefully before just trading him away.
On the flip side, the Pistons are still pretty bad, are very young and Grant is the only player they have who would bring back a sizable package on the trade market. He doesn’t fit the timeline per se and it would be foolish for the Pistons to pay upwards of $30 million a year for a guy who has shown he is not a number one or even number two option offensively.
There is also the chance he will leave when his contract is up after next season, so Detroit has to keep that in mind as they head into the 2022 NBA Draft.
The Pistons won’t be in a position to draft for need, but it happens that some of the best prospects play the same position as Jerami Grant, so could the Pistons look for his replacement in the Draft?
Here are three players that they could target who would not only fit in with Cade Cunningham but would possibly make Jerami Grant a trade option.
Paolo Banchero
I wrote about Duke forward Paolo Banchero here, so I won’t belabor the point. He might be the number one pick, has the athleticism the Pistons lack and can score from all three levels.
He is committed on defense and would be a great fit with Cunningham as a second scoring option and a guy who can catch lobs and get out in transition. I love Banchero for Detroit.
Jabari Smith is just what the Detroit Pistons need at forward
The Detroit Pistons are the worst shooting team in the NBA and are flirting with some historic numbers for futility in that department, so to say they need shooters is an understatement.
They are going to need upgrades just about everywhere when it comes to shooting, as they currently don’t have anyone around Cade Cunningham who is even league average.
Hopefully the Pistons will eventually break out of this funk, but shooting will be the top priority in the upcoming offseason either way.
Jerami Grant does a lot of things well, but shooting is not one of them. He is averaging just 32 percent from 3-point range this season and is just 34 percent for his career.
Jabari Smith, power forward for Auburn, would not only give the Pistons some size at 6-foot-10, but he can shoot the rock, hitting 43 percent of his 3-point shots on five attempts per game.
He projects as a plus NBA 3-point shooter and rebounder and is a pretty good rim protector as well. He has a solid all-around game but his shooting would fit in perfectly with the Pistons and be a nice complement to Cade Cunningham that he doesn’t currently have.
Keegan Murray fits what the Detroit Pistons are building
One forward prospect who hasn’t gotten as much attention is Keegan Murray, sophomore from Iowa.
Murray is another guy who projects as a good 3-point shooter at the next level and could provide the Pistons with some of the size and athleticism that they need at the position.
Murray is a potentially elite defender at either forward position at 6-foot-8, is already a dominant shot blocker and very good rebounder.
He has the kind of mentality and toughness on the defensive end that Troy Weaver seems to like and would give Cade Cunningham another shooter to kick out to.
The Pistons don’t have to be in a hurry to trade Jerami Grant, and like I said, there is an argument for signing him to a long-term deal.
But if the Detroit Pistons decide that the Grant era has run its course, they could look to find his eventual replacement from a strong crop of forwards in the 2022 NBA Draft.