Phoenix Suns Midseason Trade Target: Jerami Grant
Having selected Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey, Killian Hayes, and Isaiah Stewart during the last two NBA Drafts, it feels fair to say the Pistons possess an extraordinarily bright future. This team looks likely to one day become an Eastern Conference threat, but they do still need some time to grow and develop.
During the 2020-21 season, where the Pistons finished with the Eastern Conference’s worst record, free agency signing Jerami Grant spearheaded the team. The Syracuse product enjoyed what became his best year as a pro by nearly all standards, as he averaged a career-high 22.3 points per game on near league-average efficiency with a 55.6 true shooting percentage.
Last summer, Grant passed on a deal to stay with the Denver Nuggets and instead joined the Pistons while searching for a bigger offensive role. Grant got his wish, but at the expense of winning, as he missed out on postseason basketball for the first time in five years.
Though unlikely, the possibility of Grant asking to play for a contender once again cannot be ruled out. But at the very least, we can expect the Pistons to try and cash out on Grant’s trade value, still putting up for grabs.
At 28-years-old, Grant remains at his peak age with only one year left on his contract past the 2021-22 season. Coming off a career season, Grant’s trade value also sits at its peak, and from Detroit’s perspective, he probably does not fit their long-term timeline dominated by rookies and second-year players.
If the Pistons once again find themselves drowning below the playoff threshold halfway through the season, it makes too much sense for them to at least try shopping Grant. So if he becomes available, the Suns need to snap on the opportunity, as his skillset fills multiple current roster flaws.
The Suns lacked aggressive slashers especially from the wing position last season. Thanks to his athleticism, Grant has always been a fantastic finisher and slasher.
This Jerami Grant poster 😳 pic.twitter.com/OHrPi2uMoS
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 2, 2021
Another flaw that a potential Grant trade solves for the Suns comes on the defensive end, where Grant remains one of the best point of attack defenders across the entire league. After losing Torrey Craig, the Suns need a guy like that now more than ever.
Combine both those attributes with Grant’s 3-point shooting and he becomes the perfect starting power forward to wear Phoenix threads.