A lot of NBA teams should be interested in acquiring Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant this summer. But should general manager Troy Weaver trade him, when they will, hopefully, need a player just like him in the near future?
After making the Western Conference finals, the Denver Nuggets two years ago did not want to lose Jerami Grant. The 6-foot-8 forward had played a key role off the bench as the Nuggets made NBA history by coming back from two straight 3 games to 1 deficits in the playoffs, and made the West finals.
Although Denver fell to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers, Grant’s fine defense on LeBron James and Anthony Davis were noted throughout the league. (to this day, James hates it when Grant guards him).
When new Pistons general manager Troy Weaver offered Grant a three-year, $60 million deal, most experts thought it was a gross overpay. But Denver said they would match that offer, they were so desperate to keep him.
Looking at a future of being the No. 4 option on offense (behind Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.), at best, Grant opted to go to the Pistons, where he has been the leading scorer the past two seasons.
Grant is now entering the final year of that contract. He is eligible for an extension that can be as large as four-years, $112 million. So decisions need to be made shortly on Grant’s future.
There are three options for the Pistons:
- Trade him and see what you can get for Grant, who is 28 years old, and probably in his prime right now.
- Extend him and make him part of the Pistons future, as they are looking to contend in the near future, and will need a Grant-type then.
- Try and get a team-friendly extension, which will make Grant attractive to other teams if Detroit decided to trade him in the future. It will also keep Detroit from going back into its previous salary cap problems.
Does the NBA Draft effect Grant’s standings with Detroit Pistons?
Heck yeah!
If the Pistons drafted a power forward, there would be no reason to keep Grant. You don’t pick someone in the top five and not play them (unless a total bust like Darko Milic, but that is another story).
Since the Pistons bad lottery luck returned this year, they have the No. 5 pick in the June 23 draft. Most likely, outstanding wings like Shaedon Sharpe or Jaden Ivery will be at the top of the draft board when the Pistons name comes up, Forward Keegan Murray of Iowa is also a possibility, but he would not be seen as a definite immediate starter, and Grant could remain a starter, for next season at least.
The draft is held before the free agency period, where most deals are made between teams. If Detroit takes Murray, or the big top trio of Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgrean or Jabari Smith Jr. somehow drop to No. 5, Grant will be much more available.
But if Ivey, Sharpe or even Arizona guard Benedict Mutherrin, are selected by the Pistons, there is no reason not to bring Grant back.
As Weaver said in his post-season press conference, Grant played well at the end of the season with Cade Cunningham. He averaged 20.1 points in his final 15 games, when Detroit finally had all its players available.
"“Jerami demonstrated his efficiency in the way he fit with the group.,” said Weaver. “I’m curious.”"
Also remember that Grant and Weaver get along well, as both are Washington D.C. natives. Weaver will not send him to a bad situation (Sacramento?, Houston?) unless he received a ‘Godfather’ type offer for Grant.
What is the bottom line?
Why trade Jerami Grant who, unlike many previous Pistons standouts, wants to be here and part of the ‘restoring’, if Detroit will need his type of player when they get into playoff contention. Detroit wants to make conference finals too, eventually.
A player who can score 20 points a game, create his own shot, plays standout defense and is a good locker room guy is the kind of player the Pistons would be hoping to draft, if they send Grant away for a first-round pick.
Why roll the dice on possibly getting a Jerami Grant-type, when you can just keep Grant himself?
Grant probably has a few more good years in him. Yes, a draft pick would be younger, more in line age-wise with the Pistons core, and the contract would be cheaper in the next few years.
So the question facing the Pistons is: Go with what you know and keep the older and more expensive Grant, or see what you can get in the draft? However, if the pick does not work out, you will need go get a ‘Grant type’ in the near future.