It seems like every day there is a new team connected to the Detroit Pistons in a Jerami Grant trade rumor.
Two days ago, the Atlanta Hawks were in reports connecting them to Grant, with John Collins’ name being attached, an offer that seems too good to be true and it probably is.
Yesterday, the Dallas Mavericks were reported to have interest in Grant according to HoopsHype, with Jalen Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith mentioned as guys who could be moved.
Apparently the Pistons have spoken favorably of Brunson in the past, so two and two were put together and ended in some pretty wild speculation in my opinion.
Jalen Brunson is having a breakout season for the Mavericks, but probably isn’t part of their long-term plans if they want to stay out of the luxury tax. It makes sense that his name would be mentioned in trade rumors, but it doesn’t make any sense for the Detroit Pistons.
Let’s break this newest rumor down.
Jalen Brunson is not a fit on the Detroit Pistons
Let’s just start with the obvious here, which is that the Detroit Pistons do not need Jalen Brunson.
Brunson is a six-foot-one point guard who is having a nice season, averaging 15.7 points, 5.5 assists and 3.8 rebounds for the Mavs. He has started more than half the games so far, but projects more as a bench guy on a good team.
The Pistons desperately need some size and shooting, but Brunson provides neither, as he is an undersized guard who shoots 33 percent from 3-point range.
The Pistons already have logjam at guard with Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes, Cory Joseph and Saben Lee, so there is really no reason to add another one unless he is the perfect complement to Cade, which Brunson most certainly is not.
But Brunson’s fit on the Pistons is not the only reason he should not be a target in a Jerami Grant trade.