by the American they are remodeling Damian Lillard. Portland acquired the forward Jerami Scholarship from the pistons on Wednesday, trading a 2025 first-round pick (via Milwaukee). Portland will also acquire a second round pick, while two other second round picks will head to Detroit. Grant, 28, averaged 19.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game for the Pistons last season. He also shot 35.8% from three on 5.4 attempts per game, but played in just 47 contests. Let’s rate the deal for each side.
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Americans: A
This is essentially a no-brainer for Portland, particularly at the cost of the Bucks’ first-round pick three years later. Although Grant apparently went to the Pistons to be the team’s first choice, he probably missed out on that role. He will be a very good complementary piece to Lillard’s side. Portland has desperately needed long, athletic wings alongside Dame, who can also shoot and defend, and Grant fits the bill. With joseph hart also holding one of the wing spots, and perhaps another veteran who could be acquired in exchange for the No. 7 pick, the Blazers should have a nice floor balance that they’ve lacked in recent years. Grant can play any of the forward positions (while he mostly plays four), and maybe slip into center on rare occasions with super small looks (although he’s not much of a rebounder).
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Grant should thrive playing without Lillard’s ball. He shot 36.2% on catch-and-shoot 3s last season, which is already enough to keep an honest defense going, and Dame should give him an even better look going forward. For now, Grant is signed only through 2023 for nearly $21 million, but after last season’s takedown, the Blazers have the flexibility to sign him in a deal that should go through Grant’s prime and not mess up his salary sheet. . Grant may not be as exciting a second star as CJ McCollum. Still, he is a proven player who has already had success once playing against a star who dominates the ball. With the Blazers needing some two-way wings and still having room to maneuver for more talent, this deal was a layup.
Pistons: C
Grant’s return feels a bit disappointing for Detroit. At the same time, he had an expiring contract and the Pistons avoided recouping any long-term salary with this move. Grant just wasn’t on the same timeline as Cade Cunningham and whoever Detroit ends up taking with the No. 5 pick in Thursday’s draft. Moving Grant without adding money to the books gives the Pistons a big boost in cap space, allowing the organization to dip into free agency or facilitate more trades that can fill the closet with more picks. It’s a sensible move for Detroit, if not a sexy one.
Ultimately, the Pistons’ main concern is making sure they form the right core around a budding star in Cunningham. Grant didn’t make much sense for that long-term plan, and now Detroit may be a little more malleable in how it structures its current rebuild.
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