Pistons decide to kick the can on Jerami Grant’s future

Despite a lot of media buzz, Jerami Grant was not dealt by the Detroit Pistons at the trade deadline. What does that mean? Detroit basically postponi g a final decision on Grant’s future with the franchise.

You never know who will be traded, until the actual trades occur. There were lots of surprises when the deadline expired on February 10 at 3 p.m. Teams expected to be active, like the Lakers and Knicks, sat on their hands, while others (Raptors, Mavericks) swung unexpected deals.

Pistons forward Jerami Grant was thought be heading out of the Motor City. With so many NBA teams looking for help to make a playoff push, the price was suppose to skyrocket for Grant and it was simply a matter of what choice offer would Detroit select.

However, Grant is still with Detroit. Turns out, that is peachy keen with the Pistons … and Grant.

And apparently is was not like Detroit was weighing offers up to the deadline. Grant said after the Pistons loss to Oklahoma City, that he had been told by general manager Troy Weaverbefore the deadline he was not being moved.

Looking back, all the reports of Grant leaving were generated by teams interested in him. But there was never peep a out of the Pistons camp that they were unhappy with Grant, or trying to shop him. Just that they would be willing to trade him if the offer was right.

According to James Edwards of The Athletic (PAID SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED), the Pistons were asking for two first-round draft picks for Grant. Portland was the most aggressive for him, but two first’s was too much, for even them.

So Pistons general manager Troy Weaver was not really looking to trade Grant. If someone came to him with an outrageous ‘Godfather’ offer, yeah, you could have had Grant.  But Detroit was not looking to deal, and they did not.

But now, you can look forward to ‘The Summer of Grant’ as to what his future will be in Detroit will be decided.

So what do the Detroit Pistons do with Jerami Grant?

Grant is in the second year of a three-year, $60 million deal he signed as a free agent. He is eligible this summer to sign a four-year contract extension that can be worth as much as $112 million.

Summer-time is when it will be revealed how much Detroit truly likes Grant, and if they are planning for him to be part of their future.

Grant will turn 28 on March 12. He is not a young pup but he is hardly an old-timer either. Grant probably has 2 or 3 good seasons left. If the Pistons hope to make a move up the standings in the next few years, Grant is the kind of player who can help. He played a key role in the Denver Nuggets’ run to the 2020 Western Conference finals.

The question will be, how big a contract will the Pistons offer Grant. WIll they give him the max, $112 million? Or will they maybe try and finesse it, split the difference between the max and what he is being paid now, like $95 million over the four years?

The Pistons have the most cap space in the NBA, so the salary cap is not an issue,. Grant has a year left on his contract, so the only negotiations he can have this summer  is with Detroit.

One thing is for sure, if the two sides do not come to an agreement, Grant will be dealt  by the trade deadline next year. His expiring contract will be attractive to cap-strapped teams, and Detroit will be looking to get something for him, before he can walk away for nothing.

Of course, what was the point of not trading Grant at this year’s deadline, when his value would be the highest, when you would almost be forced to do it at next year’s.

Time?

Detroit should have a high draft pick again this year. If it is top three, and either Paolo Banchero or Jabari Smith are selected, both of whom have similar games to Grant, then Weaver can go find Grant a nice new home ,and get an asset on his way out.

But if the Pistons end up with a center (Chet Holmgren?) or guard (Jaden Ivey?), Grant would be a valuable player to keep around.

The Pistons not trading Jerami Grant does not mean he is definitely a long-term part of the future. What Detroit is doing, basically, is kicking the can on when they have to make a final decision on Grant. His status will be one of the major storylines of the off-season.