A month from the NBA trade deadline, the Pistons have one of the most desirable players on the market: Jerami Grant. And his list of suitors is growing.
In addition to the Lakers and Trail Blazers, whose interest in the forward was reported last month, the Wizards and Knicks are among the "several teams pursuing" Grant, according to The Athletic.
Grant, 27, is currently sidelined with a thumb injury, but he's "one of the most sought-after players this trade season," per The Athletic. The U.S. Olympian and runner-up for 2020-21 Most Improved Player has averaged 20.1 points and 4.8 boards this season, the leading scorer on the last-place Pistons.
Grant is under contract with Detroit through next season, but he's eligible this summer for a four-year extension worth up to $112 million. In the second year of a substantial rebuild, Pistons GM Troy Weaver would probably prefer to trade Grant while his value is high than pay a premium to keep him.
Detroit is building around a core of first- and second-year players headlined by Cade Cunningham and Saddiq Bey. Grant, who's in year eight, doesn't quite fit the team's competitive timeline. If Weaver can turn him into a first-round pick and/or more young talent, he'll likely pull the trigger by Feb. 10.
Until then, it behooves him to let the bidders drive up the price.