Detroit Pistons: Exploring a potential Jerami Grant to Philadelphia trade

Should the Detroit Pistons use their most valuable trade chip in years to acquire Ben Simmons?

The February 10th NBA trade deadline is vastly approaching, and as chaos is set to commence across the league, one begs the question, should the Detroit Pistons attempt to trade for disgruntled star guard Ben Simmons?

It seems as though Pistons’ general manager Troy Weaver possesses something everyone wants; forward Jerami Grant. Grant appears to be the biggest prize on the market, which bodes well for the Detroit Pistons.

The 27-year old forward blossomed last season as the top option for the first time in his career while dawning a Pistons uniform. Weaver added Grant in free agency after letting fan-favorite Christian Wood walk. Wood landed in Houston in hopes of contending for an NBA title only to see the Rockets blow it up and enter a wholesale rebuild.

Before joining the Detroit Pistons, Grant had predominantly been used as a rotational forward who excelled on the defensive end of the court. Grant joined the Pistons knowing he’d have an opportunity to play nearly limitless minutes, and he’s taken that possibility and run with it. Now, the rebuilding Pistons are in a great position with the reported plethora of teams calling for his services.

Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant is the biggest fish in the pond leading up to the NBA trade deadline.

Grant brings an overabundance of versatility to any roster. He’s become a proven scorer that would be an excellent third option on a championship team. Grant can guard every position, and we know he can put the clamps on the best of them; plus, if he ends up on a deep roster down the stretch, he’d be the best sixth man around. Grant is best playing the three or four, but if-if-if pressed into playing the five, he can be a solid stretch-five if a team goes small in certain situations.

Whoever is trading for Grant is getting the forward beyond just a rental. Grant has term left on his current deal that averages $20 million per season. Grant isn’t set to hit free agency until the summer of 2023.

According to Bleacher Report, Detroit’s asking price for Grant is steep;

"The frenzy comes one year after Pistons general manager Troy Weaver swiftly declined any inquiry about Grant’s availability after the forward surprisingly chose Detroit in free agency. Sources say Detroit is now asking for two first-round picks or one first-round pick plus a high-upside young player"

This begs the question, will the Philadelphia 76ers lower their asking price to go all-in on Jerami Grant?

Grant would be the perfect complement to Joel Embiid and former Pistons’ forward Tobias Harris up front, along with their stellar backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and veteran Seth Curry.

A thumb injury has limited Grant to 24 games this season, but he’s nearing a return. The Pistons forward has averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 boards while shooting 41.4% from the field and 33.1% from beyond the arc this season. This was followed by averaging 22.3 points, 4.6 boards, and 2.8 helpers last season while converting 43% from the field and 35% from three-point range.

If Philadelphia lowers its asking price, Ben Simmons will have a fresh start with the Detroit Pistons.

Also, according to Bleacher Report, the 76ers declined a gigantic trade earlier this fall that Detroit proposed for Simmons;

"The Pistons’ package of Grant, Saddiq Bey, Kelly Olynyk and a first-round pick, for example, was not met with much enthusiasm by Philadelphia brass, league sources told B/R. But when that deal construct began to circle around rival NBA front offices this fall, it also alerted teams to Grant’s surprising availability."

We’re getting to the point in time where Ben Simmons sitting out the entire year is becoming more and more possible.

Ironically, the asking price for Simmons had been an all-star caliber player along with multiple first-round picks. If the Detroit Pistons hope to land a prospect and two first’s for Grant, these two organizations should meet and the middle leaving everyone parting happily.

If I’m the Pistons, I’d remove Saddiq Bey from the equation and substitute an additional future draft pick. Detroit can send Grant, Kelly Olynyk, and the picks for Ben Simmons.

The former first pick is ‘off’ and needs a fresh start. Simmons is just 25-years old and under contract until 2025, averaging $35 million per season. With all the bright lights on Cade Cunningham in Detroit, Simmons could enter the fold and play robin to Cade’s batman while flying somewhat under the radar in Detroit for the remainder of the season.  Sure, Simmons is broken, but there is enough raw talent there to take a chance on.  If Simmons can ‘get-right’ the Pistons will quickly become a threat in the East as soon as next season.

Simmons is a three-time all-star that’s slashed a career line of 15.9 points, 8.1 boards, and 7.7 assists over four NBA seasons. The 6-foot-11 point guard, similar to Grant, can guard all five positions and brings a plethora of versatility to any lineup.

A fresh start in Detroit would be suitable for both player and the organization in this scenario. Players of this pedigree don’t become available very often, and Troy Weaver needs to lunge at this rare opportunity.