Report: Kings, Blazers, Wizards showing strongest trade interest in Pistons’ Jerami Grant
.jpg "Sacramento Kings center Richaun Holmes (22) reaches in on Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)")
The Kings have been rumored for weeks as a team that has shown interest in trading for Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant. A new report out of Detroit suggests Sacramento could be one of the strongest suitors for Grant as Thursday’s NBA trade deadline nears.
The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III reported Monday the Kings, Washington Wizards and Portland Trail Blazers have shown the most interest in Grant, a two-way wing who has blossomed since coming out of Syracuse as a second-round pick in 2014.
Edwards reported the Pistons could be seeking an intriguing young player a decent draft asset in exchange for Grant. Detroit and Sacramento might be able to find some common ground with a package that includes Marvin Bagley III, a player the Pistons reportedly have some interest in.
Grant has one year remaining on the three-year, $60 million deal he signed with Detroit in November 2020. He is owed $20 million this season and $21 million next season.
Grant logged most of his minutes at small forward over his first two NBA seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, but he has primarily played the power forward position over the past six years. He emerged as a highly effective role player with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2018-19 and Denver Nuggets in 2019-20.
Grant went to Detroit seeking a bigger role in 2020. He averaged 22.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 blocks last season. His scoring has dipped to 19.3 points per game and his shooting percentages are down this season, but most of his numbers are similar this season.
One issue with Grant is his desire to have a major offensive role. That could scare off some of the contenders who feel they are one piece away from NBA title contention. Even the Kings would have to ask themselves how much of their offense they want to run through a player who is shooting 40.8% from the field and 33.8% from 3-point range, but he might be worth the risk.
Grant compares favorably to Kings power forwards Maurice Harkless and Marvin Bagley III. Harkless is averaging 4.9 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 44% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc. Bagley is averaging 9.3 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 46.3% from the field and 24.2% from long distance.
