The Jerami Grant trade saga is just as likely to end with no trade at all. But there's still some room for drama ahead of Thursday's 3 p.m. deadline.
The Trail Blazers appear to be making a late push for Grant after trading CJ McCollum to the Pelicans Tuesday. The trade earned the Blazers a $21 million trade exception and a 2022 first-round pick, both of which could help bring Grant and his $20 million salary to Portland.
Per Bleacher Report, the Blazers were still 'engaged in conversations with Detroit on acquiring' Grant as of late Tuesday afternoon.
That said, it would take more than a protected first-round pick -- the Pelicans keep their pick this year if it falls from No. 5 to 14 -- for Portland to pry Grant from Detroit.
Pistons GM Troy Weaver is also seeking a young player with upside. In talks with the Blazers, that would mean someone like 22-year-old guard Anfernee Simmons or 21-year-old forward Nassir Little.
Weaver could also use Grant to land the center he's been searching for to pair with Isaiah Stewart. He was turned down by the Pacers when he offered Grant for 25-year-old block champ Myles Turner, according to longtime NBA reporter Steve Bulpett.
Detroit has also been linked to Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson and Kings big man Marvin Bagley III, not to mention Suns center and former first overall pick Deandre Ayton.
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Barring an offer that significantly boosts the Pistons' rebuild, Weaver would just as soon keep Grant, who's signed through next season, and either revisit trade talks at the draft or commit to him as part of Detroit's core around Cade
Cunningham.
Grant, who turns 28 in March, is eligible for a four-year, $112 million extension this summer. He's averaged 19.1 points and 4.5 boards this season.
Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday that the Pistons are "perfectly willing to wait until the draft, into the offseason with Jerami Grant. They don’t really have anything right now that they’d be ready to move on."