The Detroit Pistons‘ looming Jerami Grant decision could define their offseason.
They have the fifth overall pick and significant cap space, but a Grant trade has the potential to bring back significant assets and better-position the Pistons to build a roster that can sustainably compete in the playoffs.
Of course, keeping Grant could also help accomplish that goal. He’s eligible for a four-year extension worth $112 million. If the Pistons aren’t presented an offer that moves the needle, Grant will be back next season and beyond. He’s comfortable in Detroit, and the Pistons won’t trade him for the sake of trading him. It has to be a worthwhile deal.
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During his end-of-season news conference, Troy Weaver theorized that Grant’s market could pick up steam after the playoffs. He wasn’t sure if the market would become hot enough for the Pistons to move him, but it remains a possibility.
“After the playoffs, some teams will feel like we can add a player or two, and maybe the phone rings a little more,” he said. “I’m not sure. The landscape of the NBA changes weekly.”
It’s fake trade season, so here are four Grant trades that make sense for the Pistons:
Pistons receive: 2022 No. 7 pick
Portland Trail Blazers receive: Jerami Grant
This is the most straightforward trade on the list, and could be the best-case scenario for Detroit if their biggest priority is acquiring a second lottery pick. The Blazers have been rumored as a likely suitor for Grant, and they have a trade exception worth almost the exact amount of Grant’s $21 million owed next season. That means they can absorb his entire contract without sending any players back.
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The upside for the Pistons here is obvious. They already own the fifth overall pick, so acquiring the seventh would allow them to select two players high on their draft board. Rather than having to decide between addressing their backcourt or finding a replacement for Grant (hello, Keegan Murray?), they could potentially accomplish both. For Portland, they’d add a high-level starter next to Damian Lillard, who turns 32 in July. The Blazers could be better served pursuing a true rebuild in the long run, but if their priority is to build around Lillard now, it makes more sense to move the pick.
Pistons receive: Malik Beasley (two years, $32 million remaining), Jarred Vanderbilt (two years, $8.9 million remaining), 2022 No. 19 pick, 2022 No. 40 pick
Minnesota Timberwolves receive: Jerami Grant
The Timberwolves’ window to compete is now. They’re coming off of a 46-win season and only their second playoff appearance since 2004. Karl-Anthony Towns is in his prime, and Anthony Edwards is one of the most promising young players in the league. Minnesota has assets that can be dealt, and they should be exploring avenues to get better.
From Detroit’s standpoint, the highlight of this package would be the 19th pick. It’s not a lottery pick, but the Pistons had success in 2020 by finding Isaiah Stewart and Saddiq Bey with the 16th and 19th picks, respectively. But Beasley would fill a need in Detroit’s backcourt as an outside shooter. He has made 38.5% of his 7.2 3-point attempts per game since the 2019-20 season, and his contract comes off of the books in 2024.
Pistons receive: Bogdan Bogdanovic (two years, $36 million), 2022 No. 16 pick
Atlanta Hawks receive: Jerami Grant
Similar to the Wolves, the Hawks are looking to remain in playoff contention in a conference that has become more competitive from top-to-bottom. After making the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, Atlanta regressed last season and fell to the Miami Heat in the opening round of the playoffs in five games. They have incentive to move their first-round pick.
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This trade also has similar upside for the Pistons, who would acquire a first-rounder just outside of the lottery and a good wing in Bogdanovic, a career 38.4% outside shooter who can also handle secondary playmaking responsibilities alongside Cade Cunningham. Like Beasley, Bogdanovic’s contract expires in 2024 and he could become a valuable trade chip.
Pistons receive: Dillon Brooks (one year, $11.4 million), De’Anthony Melton (two years, $16.25 million), 2022 No. 22 pick via Utah Jazz
Grizzlies receive: Jerami Grant
Memphis exceeded expectations this season with 56 regular season wins and making the second round of the playoffs. Now, they have some roster decisions to make. Kyle Anderson, seventh on the roster in minutes played last season, is an unrestricted free agent. They could simply opt to give Ziaire Williams, who they traded up to draft 10th overall in 2021 and played substantial minutes, a bigger role. But if they want to go all-in on a trade, Grant is a logical option.
The Grizzlies thrived last season despite Dillon Brooks playing just 32 games due to injuries. Brooks would lift Detroit’s perimeter defense and outside shooting, and is on an expiring contract. Beyond the pick, the Pistons would also benefit from acquiring De’Anthony Melton, a defense-minded wing who has made 38.8% of his 3-pointers during his previous two seasons. Memphis could instead opt to trade their own 2022 first round pick, which is 29th overall, rather than Utah’s 22nd pick.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa. Read more on the Detroit Pistons and sign up for our Pistons newsletter.