The Detroit Pistons have got a lot of problems. This is the worst team in the NBA for a second consecutive season. Even for a young team, the Pistons are doing an unacceptable amount of losing.
What’s the solution? Different people have different ideas. Some would suggest that Detroit needs to remain patient with their rebuild. Others would say that at this point, the Pistons need to go ahead and trade for some useful veterans.
It seems as if this front office may prefer the latter route. It’s been rumored that the Pistons are looking to make a splash at this year’s deadline. Moreover, they seem to be looking for a 4. Could they reunite with Jerami Grant of the Portland Trail Blazers?
The Trade Proposal
Portland Trail Blazers receive: G/F Joe Harris, F/C Isaiah Stewart
Detroit Pistons receive: F Jerami Grant
The Pistons’ fate is one that the Blazers will hope to avoid. They’ll have to walk a fine line. After all, the Blazers will want to mine for talent in the lottery as the Pistons did. What can they learn from Detroit?
Well, it feels like the Pistons prioritized accumulating talent over building a roster. This team had Jalen Duren, and they traded Saddiq Bey for James Wiseman anyway. They drafted Jaden Ivey while they already had a lead ball-handler in Cade Cunningham. The Pistons are light on shooting, and they’re light on wings.
The Blazers should pay heed to their errors as they rebuild. They’ve got a potential franchise player in Scoot Henderson, and two more young potential stars in Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons. Should they add Stewart to the mix?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
Some will suggest that we’ve got Portland creating their logjams here. With Deandre Ayton on the roster, why are they acquiring Stewart? Can those two play together?
Well, Portland isn’t acquiring Stewart to replace Ayton. They’re acquiring him to replace Robert Williams III. He’s among the most injury-prone players in the NBA – and this year, he was hurt again.
Meanwhile, Stewart can play with Ayton. His ability to space the floor and defend in space makes him a versatile combo big. Should the Pistons give up a useful player?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
We’re not sure. How do you solve a problem like this one? What should the Pistons do? Realistically, they could make any change at the deadline, and it would be for the best.
This isn’t a perfect move. Grant is on a major, long-term contract. He could complicate matters for the Pistons when it’s time to extend Cunningham, Duren, Ausar Thompson, and others. With that said, if Detroit doesn’t start winning some games soon, they may not need to worry about that – any of those guys could have requested trades.
So, acquire Grant. Work it out later – he’ll be easier to move with fewer years on his deal. The Pistons need a wing who can space the floor, defend and create shots. If they landed Grant, they’d have one less problem.
