Jerami Grant
After signing a three-year, $60M deal with the Pistons ahead of the start of last season, Jerami Grant exploded onto the scene and quickly became one of the league’s most improved players. In 54 games with Detroit last season, Grant averaged 22.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and shot 42.9% from the floor.
While he has only played in 24 games this season due to a thumb injury that required surgery, Jerami Grant has continued to be a high-level two-way threat, averaging 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and shooting 41.4% from the floor.
Since joining the Pistons, Jerami Grant has become one of the best scoring combo-forwards in the league and because of his contributions on defense and being able to guard multiple positions, he is one of the league’s most sought after trade targets.
Teams across the NBA have been inquiring about Grant’s availability all season long and while they are not actively looking to trade him at the moment, the Pistons have been willing to hear out all offers for their star forward.
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Set to become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of next season, Grant’s value is at an all-time high right now and the Pistons could very well bring back a hefty return in trade talks for him.
The Lakers and Trail Blazers have been mentioned as two teams with interest in Grant at the deadline, but one team to keep close tabs on over the next three weeks is the Utah Jazz. Overshadowed by the likes of the Suns and Warriors out West, the Jazz are having yet another great season, but still seem to be one piece away from being a true championship threat.
Their core of Conley, Mitchell, Gobert, Bogdanovic, Clarkson, O’Neale and Ingles is definitely capable of making a deep playoff push, but adding another key scorer and defender on the wing could go a long way in Utah’s efforts to win a Western Conference Championship.
This move to target Jerami Grant could wind up costing the Jazz talents like Bojan Bogdanovic and/or Joe Ingles, but both players are in their 30s and they are not going to improve for the type of player they are now.
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Ingles is nothing more than a three-point shooting threat and Bogdanovic can be a very streaky shooter at times throughout the season. Neither guy is really a reliable secondary scorer next to Donovan Mitchell, however, Jerami Grant can be and he can also make a huge impact defensively.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported a month ago that the Jazz were going to be searching for a defensive-minded wing at the trade deadline and while there are definitely cheaper, more affordable options for them to pursue, Jerami Grant would be a “home run” acquisition for this franchise.
Pairing him with Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley creates a really well-balanced two-way team and Utah would not have to rely solely on Mitchell to score for them.
Jerami Grant has proven to be a versatile scorer that can create for himself, giving the Jazz everything they are currently missing in their hunt for a title.
