What the Christian Wood trade tells us about Jerami Grant’s value

Detroit Pistons: What is Jerami Grant’s trade value?

I do think Jerami Grant is a better all-around player than Wood, but when you look at their respective ages, contracts and numbers, the two aren’t that far apart.

I do think most teams would view Grant as the better player, but both guys are unknowns when it comes to future contracts and are essentially one-year rentals until they sign a new one.

The 26th pick in a draft that is not incredibly deep is not great compensation for a player of Wood’s caliber, though his value may be somewhat diminished by his antics this season. Wood butted heads with his coach and was suspended after failing to take a COVID test and refusing to go into a game.

Grant, on the other hand, has drawn praise from Pistons’ coaches and top brass for being a great teammate and leader, so I do think Grant has more value when it comes to intangibles, as Wood is getting the reputation of a head case who may be more trouble than he is worth.

But is that difference going to be enough to make Grant worth at top-10 pick? It’s a big leap from the 26th pick to the 7th or 8th, so if the Wood trade set the market, then fans may not be happy with the possible return for Jerami Grant.

Any pick outside of the lottery is a huge roll of the dice, and the Detroit Pistons may come to the conclusion that keeping Grant is their safest bet.