Grades for the Detroit Pistons’ trade deadline moves and non-moves

The Detroit Pistons had a relatively quiet trade deadline, making just one minor move after weeks of speculation and rumors.

It doesn’t appear that the Pistons were really ever close to trading Jerami Grant, as it was hard to find equivalent value for a non-star who is still a very good player on a favorable contract.

Perusing Pistons’ Twitter today, there were a LOT of fans upset by this non-move, and I get it, as Detroit did play better in some areas without Grant, and I do understand the need to have a new shiny thing when your team is the worst in the NBA.

I also get the impatience, as this team has been awful for three straight seasons, so fans wanted some reason to be hopeful.

We’ll get to the non-trade of Jerami Grant in a minute, but first the grades for the move the Pistons did make.

The Detroit Pistons take a flyer on Marvin Bagley III

One of the worst-kept rumors among Pistons’ fans was that the team was going to land Marvin Bagley III in a trade. The team had already started following him on Twitter (big giveaway), and this is a move that makes a lot of sense for Detroit.

The Pistons gave up Josh Jackson (who is hurt and on an expiring contract), big man Trey Lyles (who is frustrating to watch but was competent) and two second-round picks to acquire Bagley III.

This trade cost the Pistons little, as neither Jackson nor Lyles were part of the long-term plans and second-round picks come and go and are easy to replace.

Bagley III was the second pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and is still just 22-years-old, so he’s worth taking a chance on in exchange for nothing, especially for a team that lacks size and talent in the front court.

Bagley showed his potential in his rookie season, averaging just under 15 points to go with 7.6 rebounds and a block per game.

But consistent injuries and clashes with coaches kept him from developing any further and he has regressed this season, watching his productivity go down with his minutes.

There are some concerns about attitude (having a respected veteran coach should help) and his helicopter-parent father (fun follow on Twitter btw), but the talent is there if it can be harnessed.

The Pistons might be able to sign him for a low-ball deal if things go well in the final part of the season, so it is really all positive from a Detroit perspective.

I am not a big fan of Bagley III but it totally makes sense and is a low risk-high reward trade for the Detroit Pistons. If it works out, great, if not, it cost them nothing. This is exactly the type of trade a team that needs to find creative ways to get talent should make.

Grade: A-

The Detroit Pistons non-trade of Jerami Grant

I wrote a LOT about the possibility of Jerami Grant being traded, but to be honest, I wasn’t at all surprised when he wasn’t.

I wrote about a possible future for the Pistons with Jerami Grant, and the team probably saw it the same way.

I know there were a lot of very vocal fans who think the world is now over since the Pistons didn’t trade Jerami Grant, but I looked outside earlier and it seems to still be there.

The Pistons still have a lot of options when it comes to Grant, and I am not one who believes his trade value will go down in the offseason, as there will be just as many teams who think they are contenders and are looking to improve as there are now.

Teams will also know more about their own finances, draft and free agency, so the suitors who do come knocking will be serious, and not ones looking to trade their trash for a good player at the deadline.

I do think there are some problems with Grant and Cade Cunningham fit-wise, but I also know that Grant is a smart player who can adjust his game, wants to be in Detroit and will understand that this is Cade’s team now, not his.

I’m glad the Detroit Pistons did not trade Grant just to make a move, especially after seeing what Portland got in exchange for Norman Powell and Robert Covington, which was a garbage return that probably hurt the Jerami Grant market.

Doing nothing is better than making a lopsided trade and just giving away a talented player. The Pistons can still trade him in the offseason pre-draft, which has taken over the trade deadline as the time with the most action.

It’s hard to grade the Grant non-move without knowing what Detroit will do next, but I am happy they didn’t give him away for a retread player and a few second-round picks.

Grade: B

What do the Detroit Pistons do now?

Social media has very much changed how fans approach the NBA. People want instant gratification, whether it is from young player or their GM.

This team was a hot mess when Troy Weaver took over, and while they are still terrible, things are starting to turn around and his vision is starting to take shape.

The Pistons have three of the things teams need to be good, which is a young star to build around (Cade), some low-contract contributors (Frank, Hami) and two impact role players (Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart).

They also have the most cap space of any team this summer, a possible top-5 pick coming in the Draft and a whole lot of dead money about to come off the books.

Detroit can still move Grant after they know where they are choosing in the Draft, or they can simply extend him if he is willing to sign a team-friendly deal.

Like a lot of fans, this trade deadline left me wanting more, but I have also been around long enough to know that team building takes time, as does player development, so this was never going to happen overnight whether the Pistons traded Jerami Grant or not.

The Detroit Pistons are in the position to add a lot of talent this offseason, and finally have a potential star to build around, so the future still looks good.

Grade: B