I am going to make the least bold trade deadline prediction and say the Detroit Pistons will either do something, or they won’t.
This is obviously common sense, but with myriad trade rumors swirling around the Pistons, I think some fans think inaction at the deadline would be disappointing and possibly even represent a failure on the part of the Pistons.
After all, they have one of the best available trade assets in Jerami Grant, are still rebuilding and should make a bold move, right?
Not necessarily, as I can see a number of different scenarios unfolding at the trade deadline and not all of them involve the Detroit Pistons making a blockbuster move.
But those are on the table too, which is why this trade deadline will either be a wild one for the Pistons….or it won’t.
The Detroit Pistons could make a blockbuster move at the deadline
We’ve heard the Detroit Pistons attached to names like Ben Simmons, John Collins and Patrick Williams in possible Jerami Grant trades and all of them would represent a significant shift in the restoration.
Getting one of these guys (Simmons isn’t happening) would probably require the Pistons to send back additional pieces, so if Detroit were to make a big blockbuster trade, we could see one of the “Core 4” of Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, Killian Hayes or Saben Lee shipped out as well.
I think this is the least likely scenario at the deadline simply because there doesn’t seem to be a great fit, as Philly has already made it clear they are holding out for a superstar, Atlanta can probably do better for Collins and the Bulls seem reluctant to part with their best young player.
While I don’t think Troy Weaver will hesitate to pull the trigger if the right deal is there, I have yet to see one that is an obvious fit for both teams.
That doesn’t mean Jerami Grant won’t be on the move.
Detroit Pistons’ fans may not like the return they get for Jerami Grant
Most of the Grant market has been pure speculation, so I have no idea what is actually being offered and it could be far less than Pistons’ fans think.
I do think the Pistons have all of the leverage in any deal, as they don’t have to trade Grant, as he is still signed for next season and will have value in the future as well.
But that doesn’t mean that some team is going to make The Godfather offer to the Pistons, as Grant is a good/not great player who isn’t a superstar or even an All-Star at this point in his career.
His selling point is that he is versatile enough to help just about any team, but it’s hard for me to imagine a team giving up a promising young player AND a 1st-round pick for a guy who is a borderline All-Star.
Grant is very good, but he is also putting up numbers on a bad team and ultimately projects as a 3rd or 4th option on a good one.
I can see why teams would shy away from giving up too much, which is why the return for Grant may ultimately be disappointing for Pistons’ fans.
I can definitely see a scenario where the Pistons take back far less than some are speculating or one where they simply walk away.
The Detroit Pistons don’t have to do anything
A lot of fans love getting involved in the speculation about trades and future draft picks and I am one of them. It’s fun to think about future possibilities and I see no harm in it, especially since it drives a lot of conversations.
But if the Detroit Pistons don’t get a great offer for Jerami Grant, and no one is really interested in any of their veterans, I can definitely see a scenario where they do very little at the trade deadline.
They will probably make some kind of small move, maybe try to recoup a second-round pick or two, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the Pistons were underwhelmed by the offers they get and just decide to keep what they have.
Detroit will be in good shape cap-wise next offseason, will likely have another top-5 pick in the NBA Draft and might just want to see how that shakes out before they make additional moves.
They might also want to see how Jerami Grant fits with Cade Cunningham and whether Grant can adjust his game to be a better match with their rookie star.
I know this is the most boring option, but it might not be the worst one, as the Pistons don’t want to make a move just to make one and sometimes patience really is a virtue.
With just under two weeks left before the deadline, we will find out soon. The Pistons might be heavily involved, but don’t be shocked if they aren’t.