Detroit Pistons: Players to trade or retain at the NBA deadline

Should the Detroit Pistons consider trading Jerami Grant?

After signing a three-year deal worth $60-million, Jerami Grant has grown into the Detroit Pistons’ most valuable trade asset if they so choose to move him at the NBA trade deadline.

I admit I was skeptical when Troy Weaver signed Grant, who had predominantly played as a role player coming off the bench for the Denver Nuggets.  Grant did see a consistent role with Denver playing 26.6 minutes per game, scoring 12 points per game.

To be honest, I had been holding out hope the Detroit Pistons were going to re-sign C/PF Christian Wood.  Looking at both situations, both players are enjoying career-years with their respected teams.  Wood is averaging 22 points and 10.2 rebounds per game this season.

Grant is the focal point of the Pistons offense averaging 23.4 points, 5.3 boards, 2.9 assists per game while converting on 43.3% of his field-goal attempts along with knocking down a touch over 36% from beyond the arc.  I continue to be impressed with Grant’s ability to create his own shot and his willingness to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim.

Although Grant didn’t receive an All-Star bid this season, he’s defiantly performed at an All-Star clip.  The Detroit Pistons are just one of the league’s worst teams, which usually comes into play during All-Star voting.

There are plenty of teams that would like to add Grant at the trade deadline, especially when you consider his team-friendly contract, the fact that he’s locked up for the next two seasons. He’s proven to be a scoring threat that can also play at the three or four.

Grant should be a front-runner to win the NBA’s most improved player award for the 2020-21 season.

The Detroit Pistons should not entertain trading the soon-to-be 27-year old unless they land a top-prospect and multiple first-round draft choices in return.  First-round NBA picks, unlike the majority of the other professional leagues, rapidly lose value if they are not top-ten choices.

There is no reason to trade Grant for a pick acquired from a playoff team that will most likely be in the 20s for a player that is scoring at a rate like Grant.

The Detroit Pistons should still have the ability to trade Grant at some point next season, and by then, the organization will have at least three more rookies they hope to fit into their rebuilding rotation.