Jerami Grant Enters Last Year Of His Contract, Could He Be On The Move?

By Jordan Long

The Detroit Pistons have a decision to make with Jerami Grant.  Grant is in the last year of his current contract.  They have two options, they could keep Grant or trade him during the offseason or next year’s trade deadline.  The Pistons will do what they feel is best for them.

                Grant has been with the Detroit Pistons for the past two years.  He agreed to a 3-year $60 million contract during the 2020 offseason.  Grant had just finished playing one season for the Nuggets and Denver let him test free agency. 

Grant has played well for the Pistons.  In the 2020-2021 season, Grant managed to have a career high in points, averaging 22.3 points per game.  This season, Grant played in 47 games.  He missed most of the year dealing with a thumb injury.  On December 11^th, he was out indefinitely due to torn ligaments in his thumb.  He had surgery to repair it and was back in action on February 1^st.  Grant was shut down the remainder of the season on March 28^th due to a calf strain.  Even so, Grant was productive with 19.2 points per game which led the team.

                 The easiest decision is to keep Grant.  He is due to make around $20.955 million in the 2022-2023 season.  He could try and help the Pistons win even though they haven’t earned a playoff spot since 2019.  They are rebuilding.  The Detroit Pistons could always trade Grant at the 2023 NBA trade deadline. At that point, if they are out of a playoff race, then trade him.  At least they would get something back for him.  If he stays on the roster after that, they are risking losing him in free agency in the summer of 2023.

                Detroit could also deal him before the draft or during free agency this year.  It could be a sign and trade.  Grant would have to agree to a contract with his new team and the Pistons receive draft picks for it.  This may allow Grant to go to a team that might be in a position to win now.  Grant hasn’t been to the postseason since he was with the Nuggets in the bubble during the 2020 season.

                The Pistons front office will do what is best for the franchise moving forward.  They want to build a winning team.  If Grant is not part of their future plans, they should trade him to at least get something back for him even if it is future draft picks.