Lakers Trade Rumors: Jerami Grant Eyed by LA for Talen Horton-Tucker, 1st-Round Pick
Jan 22, 2022
Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant (9) moves the ball up court in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
The Los Angeles Lakers have unsuccessfully tried to trade for Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant, per longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein.
"That 2027 first is clearly the most valuable trade asset that the Lakers currently possess," Stein said in his weekly Greenroom session. "The Lakers have tried, with no luck yet, to package that pick with Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn in an attempt to acquire Jerami Grant from Detroit."
The Lakers entered their road game against the Orlando Magic on Friday with a 22-23 record, eighth in the Western Conference.
That's clearly not good enough for a team that sports LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook and is two years removed from an NBA title.
The trade deadline is Feb. 10, and as Stein noted, L.A. is going to try to do something. The problem is the Lakers don't have a ton to offer:
They obviously would love to make some kind of upgrade. As somebody put it to me this week, the Lakers are not a stay-the-course team when things are going bad. They want to make changes. But look, we all know the reality, they’ve got limited assets. They’ve got THT, they’ve got Nunn, they’ve got a draft pick that’s five years away. That’s really that. That’s really all they can do. So, will they try to do something? I’m sure they will.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski also threw cold water on the idea that the Lakers could do much at the deadline earlier this week:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaY-xOHpL9w?
I think for the most part the Lakers' improvement is going to have to come from within. They just don't have tradable assets, especially with so few sellers in the market. There are going to be other teams who can offer those select few sellers better offers than the Lakers will be able to.
Grant figures to be one of the hottest names as the deadline nears. He's been out since Dec. 10 with a UCL ligament sprain of his right thumb, and the Pistons announced he would be reevaluated in six weeks.
He also entered the NBA's health and safety protocols Wednesday. Two days prior, Grant was assigned to the Pistons' G League affiliate to continue his rehab.
If he's good to go down the stretch, Grant could be a huge addition to a playoff-contending team. The 27-year-old power forward averaged 20.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game prior to being sidelined.
It may be difficult for the Lakers to pry him from the Pistons, though. Ultimately, L.A. may have to wait for Davis (sprained MCL) to come back and hope the James-Westbrook-Davis trio stays healthy, jells and guides the team to better days down the stretch.
'I Am the Best Rookie': 1-on-1 with No. 1 NBA Draft Pick Cade Cunningham
Jan 20, 2022
As most first overall picks do, Detroit Pistons rookie Cade Cunningham came into the league with franchise-changing expectations. And history has shown expectations for top draft picks aren't always fair or realistic, but it is the reality for young prospects hyped up since their early teens.
Cunningham has struggled at times and was probably too passive early in the season, but the 20-year-old has found his rhythm recently and believes he's established himself as the favorite in the Rookie of the Year conversation.
"It's definitely a goal of mine. I feel like I am the best rookie," Cunningham told Bleacher Report.
The numbers are slowly starting to back that up, as Cunningham is averaging 15.9 points per game in the month of January to go along with 5.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds—numbers that surely would be higher if not for a questionable ejection against the Suns. But most importantly, he's led a young Pistons team to wins over the Utah Jazz and Milwaukee Bucks this month.
Another encouraging stat is how Cade is scoring. According to Second Spectrum Data, he averages more isolation points per game than the likes of Steph Curry, Luka Doncic and Trae Young. And his peers are starting to take notice.
"He's a really good player. He's a guy who came in ready and can do it all. He can score the ball, play-make and defend. Sky is the limit for him," said Golden State Warriors wing and fellow No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins.
Cunningham has forced coaches to key in on him on the scouting report.
"He's really emerging now that he has his feet underneath him and getting accustomed to the league. He really seems to be finding his way now," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told Bleacher Report.
Cunningham now finds himself firmly entrenched near the top of the Rookie of the Year race, as most experts have him just behind Evan Mobley but trending up.
Mobley has been phenomenal, and he's drawn comparisons to the likes of Chris Bosh and Pau Gasol. His young Cavs team has blown expectations out of the water and is firmly a playoff contender and could finish in the top four in the East. That can hurt or help his ROY chances depending on your perspective. He won't have the usage that Cade has, but his team's success will be miles ahead of Detroit's.
This has also been one of the deepest drafts in recent memory, and rookies all throughout the draft board are making an impact. Scottie Barnes and Franz Wagner are turning heads because of their all-around games. Chris Duarte looks to be one of the better, if not the best, perimeter scorers in the class.
Cade has jumpstarted a Pistons team that will almost certainly finish near the bottom of the standings but is playing better ball. He is the main reason Detroit has been competitive recently, and he sat down exclusively with Bleacher Report to discuss his first season.
B/R: How has your rookie year been? I know it's a marathon.
Cunningham: It's been a lot of fun. Yes, there are ups and downs in this journey for real, but I'm having fun playing basketball, traveling all over the place. It's been a lot of fun for me. So I'm living the dream.
Have any vets on the team taken you under their wing?
I got Rodney McGruder. ... I got Trey [Lyles] and Josh Jackson. We got a bunch of good vets. We have a young team, so it helps having them around a lot.
You've been playing better as the season goes on; you haven't really hit that rookie wall. You've already played more games in the NBA than you did at Oklahoma State. Do you feel like you're hitting your stride?
I feel like I'm hitting my stride. Like I said, I've had some bad games, but I've had some really good ones, too. I know that it's going to be a bunch of ups and downs, but I just try to stay locked in and even-keeled and approach every game the same and just have fun.
Do things like Rookie of the Year matter to you? Is that a goal of yours?
It's definitely a goal of mine. I feel like I am the best rookie. So winning that award would validate that to me and the world, but at the end of the day when I go and play a basketball game, I'm not thinking of Rookie of the Year trophies or anything like that. But it would be great to have when the time comes.
What advice would you give the young up-and-coming prospects? The Chet Holmgrens of the world. Guys who have big-time expectations like you did.
I'd say just be consistent with the work and your approach. It's hard to control how every game is going to look. Sometimes the ball may fall your way, and sometimes it won't. If you can try to get better each and every day and be consistent towards your goals; then you'll be all right.
Here's a fun question. I know you were a good football player, and so was your dad. If you had to bet your NBA paycheck on one player in the league to score a touchdown right now, who would it be?
I'm sure LeBron could have in his day. Anthony Davis. Saddiq Bey would probably score some touchdowns. If I was his quarterback, I would get him the ball in the end zone. I'm sure there's a bunch of guys who can score.
Are you a sneakerhead, and if so, what is your favorite pair of kicks in your collection?
I wouldn't say I am a sneakerhead, but I would say my Rookie of the Year Jordan 1s and then most of the Off-White Dunks.
Steph Curry, Klay Thompson Guide Warriors to Blowout Win vs. Cade Cunningham, Pistons
Jan 19, 2022
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) is congratulated by guard Stephen Curry (30) after Thompson scored against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
The Golden State Warriors bounced back from Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 102-86 win over the Detroit Pistons at Chase Center on Tuesday.
Klay Thompson led the way with 21 points as Golden State improved to 32-12. It was Thompson's first 20-point game since 2019.
Andrew Wiggins added 19 points, and Stephen Curry had 18 points and eight assists. Golden State led by as many as 34 in the victory.
The Warriors are now 5-5 in their last 10 games after a torrid start to the season. Golden State overcame the absence of Draymond Green, who remains out with a calf injury.
The Pistons fell to 10-33 after their third loss in their last four games. Rodney McGruder led the team with 19 points off the bench. Hamidou Diallo had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Isaiah Stewart added 14 points with 11 rebounds. Rookie guard Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft, was held to eight points.
Notable Stats
G Klay Thompson, GSW: 21 points (22 minutes)
F Andrew Wiggins, GSW: 19 points
G Stephen Curry, GSW: 18 points, 8 assists
G Rodney McGruder, DET: 19 points (off bench)
G Hamidou Diallo, DET: 16 points, 13 rebounds
C Isaiah Stewart, DET: 14 points, 11 rebounds
G Cade Cunningham, DET: 8 points (3-of-10 FG)
Easy Matchup Comes at Right Time for Warriors
Sometimes, a team needs something to get its confidence back. In the Warriors' case, a home game against the 30th-ranked offense in the NBA after a tough road trip is exactly what they needed.
Golden State returned to form Tuesday with a dominant performance from start to finish. Even without Green, the Warriors had no issues shutting down the Detroit offense. The Warriors held the Pistons to 36.2 percent shooting in the first half and 2-of-15 (13.3 percent) from three-point range.
On offense, Golden State looked like the well-oiled machine we're used to seeing. The Warriors' ball movement was crisp with 20 assists on 24 made field goals in the first half.
It's the NBA's #30 offense (Detroit) against the #1 defense (Warriors) tonight in SF. Pistons at halftime: 38 points, 36 percent shooting, more turnovers than assists, even with an inactive Draymond Green hanging on the bench and in the bunker suites. Warriors up 66-38.
HALFTIME: Warriors up 66-38 on Detroit. Fair to say, this is quite the slump-busting performance for Golden State after a rough road trip. Even without Draymond, the Warriors' defense is having no trouble with the league's worst offense.
The Warriors offense stagnated in the second half with just 17 points in the third quarter and 19 in the fourth, but the team kept its large lead thanks to a vintage defensive effort.
The roar of the crowd at the Chase Center was something that surely energized the players after they went 1-3 on their road trip, and they gave their fans reasons to cheer throughout the entire game.
Golden State is one of the best teams in the league, but it has yet to play at full strength this season. When Green returns, it's likely that performances like this one will become the norm for the Warriors. Tuesday's win was surely a nice way to start their run of seven straight home games.
Pistons Get Overpowered Against NBA's Elite
This is not a knock on Detroit, but it's not a surprise that Tuesday's game played out the way it did.
The Pistons are a team that's going nowhere fast, and they were up against a juggernaut in Golden State. It also didn't help that they were without leading scorer Jerami Grant, who hasn't played since Dec. 10 because of a thumb injury.
Stewart was the lone bright spot early on for Detroit. He was active inside the paint with all 14 of his points in the first half, and he had a double-double through three quarters.
Cunningham couldn't get anything going against the Warriors defense. He was held scoreless in the second half.
McGruder came alive in the second half. He scored 17 of his 19 points in the third and fourth quarters.
Rodney McGruder, in his first game since returning to the Pistons from the rescinded trade, has a season-high 19 points on 7 of 8 shooting and 4 of 5 from 3.
There's not much that the Pistons can take from Tuesday's game. It would have been nice to see Cunningham flash his potential against one of the top teams in the league, but that didn't happen. Detroit will simply have to put this game in its rearview and move on to the next one.
What's Next?
The Warriors will host the Indiana Pacers on Thursday in the second matchup of a seven-game homestand. The Pistons will look to bounce back Wednesday when they visit the Sacramento Kings.
Report: Jerami Grant Assigned to NBA G League amid Pistons Trade Rumors, Injury Rehab
Jan 17, 2022
Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant (9) moves the ball up court in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant has been assigned to the G League's Motor City Cruise as he continues his rehab, per James Edwards III of The Athletic.
Grant has been out since undergoing surgery to repair the UCL in his thumb on Dec. 16. There is still no timetable for a return, but the roster move allows him to start on-court work.
The Pistons initially announced he would be re-evaluated six weeks after the surgery, via Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. It could put him on track to return in late January or early February.
While the Pistons want their top scorer back on the court, they won't be the only team focusing on Grant's rehab.
Shams Charania of The Athletic previously reported the forward will be "one of the most sought-after players this trade season," with the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards and Portland Trail Blazers among the top suitors.
Grant was averaging 20.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in 24 appearances before his thumb injury, adding 1.1 blocks and 1.1 steals per game as one of the most versatile players in the NBA.
The 27-year-old truly broke out last season with averages of 22.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in his first year with the Pistons, making him a finalist for the Most Improved Player award.
Detroit remains one of the worst teams in the NBA at 10-32, but a midseason trade could bring back valuable assets to continue the rebuild.
Grant is also on a reasonable contract considering his production at $20 million for 2021-22 and about $21 million owed in 2022-23. A contender could add the two-way contributor as a key piece for the playoff push without losing much financial flexibility going forward.
Once he proves he is healthy, Grant will be a player to watch ahead of the Feb. 10 trade deadline.
Donatas Motiejunas Rips Pistons After Bol Bol Report: They're 'Destroying' Futures
Jan 13, 2022
San Antonio Spurs forward Donatas Motiejunas (28) in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Former NBA center Donatas Motiejunas
took aim at the Detroit Pistons organization Thursday for its treatment of
young players.
Mike Singer of the Denver Post reported
Thursday the Pistons backed out of a trade with the Denver Nuggets
for 22-year-old center Bol Bol because of an "issue" with his
physical.
In 2016, Detroit had a deal in place to
acquire Motiejunas, who now plays for AS Monaco in Europe, as part of
a three-team trade but it later backed out of the agreement because
of his physical results.
"I was failed on physicals and told
by Detroit doctors I will not play basketball again ... 6 years later
I am still here and have many years to go," Motiejunas wrote on
Twitter. "They destroying young players names and futures in NBA by
doing this."
Further details about what led the Bol
deal to fall through weren't immediately released, but Singer reported the Nuggets were "taken aback by the news." They were set to receive
Rodney McGruder in the trade.
Motiejunas previously expressed
frustration with how the Pistons handled his situation in March 2016.
The Lithuanian post player told Basket
News (via Aaron McMann of MLive) he's confident the physical wasn't
the reason the trade was ultimately called off:
The medical examination is a
funny thing. The team doctor simply says whether you pass or don't,
although they may not even do any checks. Those 48 hours actually
just let the team decide whether they want you or not. The Pistons
announced I did not pass the medical, although I surely did pass it
and played even before it. I just got 'screwed.' The injury was a
pretense to call off the trade. They changed their minds.
Meanwhile, Bol's proposed trade to Detroit created intrigue because it paved the way for the 7'2'' center to get the most playing time he's had in his career. He's played a minuscule role for
Denver since being selected in the second round of the 2019 draft.
He's averaged 2.4 points and 1.4
rebounds in 5.8 minutes across 14 games this season.
Instead of becoming part of the
Pistons' frontcourt rotation, he'll return to the Nuggets and play a
bit role behind Nikola Jokic, JaMychal Green and Zeke Nnaji at the 5.
It wouldn't be a surprise if the
Nuggets put him back on the block in search of wing depth ahead of
the Feb. 10 NBA trade deadline, though.
Report: Bol Bol Trade to Pistons from Nuggets off Because of 'Issue' with Physical
Jan 13, 2022
Denver Nuggets center Bol Bol (10) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Three days after a trade agreement between the Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets involving Bol Bol, the deal has reportedly been voided.
Per Mike Singer of the Denver Post, the Pistons backed out of the trade due to an "issue" with Bol's physical.
The Pistons announced on Monday they acquired Bol from Denver in exchange for Rodney McGruder and draft considerations.
It's unclear what the issue was with Bol's physical. He has only played in 14 games this season, but there was no indication his absences have been injury-related.
Bol only played in nine games at Oregon during the 2018-19 season due to a foot injury that required surgery. He missed most of his rookie season in the NBA recovering from the procedure.
Since the start of last season, Bol hasn't had any significant injury issues.
Denver head coach Michael Malone has struggled to find playing time for Bol because of the team's frontcourt depth.
Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic has never missed more than nine games in a season in his career. Aaron Gordon and Jeff Green are two of Denver's most important role players.
Bol has only appeared in 53 regular-season games in three seasons. The 22-year-old was the No. 44 pick in the 2019 NBA draft by the Heat, who traded his draft rights to the Nuggets.
Jerami Grant Trade Rumors: NBA Championship Contenders 'Routinely Calling' Pistons
Jan 3, 2022
Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant (9) moves the ball up court in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant is under contract through the 2022-23 campaign, which likely doesn't exactly line up with the team's potential competitive window as it builds around rookie Cade Cunningham.
That means it wouldn't be particularly surprising if the 27-year-old is moved, and James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reported "teams with championship aspirations are routinely calling Detroit about Grant's services."
Grant was a role player early in his career for the Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets, but he has turned into a game-changing presence for Detroit ever since it landed him in a sign-and-trade prior to last season.
He averaged 22.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 blocks per game in 2020-21 and has remained a go-to option with averages of 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 blocks a night this season.
The Syracuse product is a matchup problem because of his ability to stretch the floor and could take advantage of the spacing playing alongside other stars on contenders would create.
From the Pistons' perspective, he is their best moveable asset in the early stages of the rebuilding process. Cunningham clearly won't be moved, and Edwards suggested second-year players Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart will likely stay put as well.
Edwards pointed to the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers and Memphis Grizzlies as potential landing spots for Grant.
Atlanta and Indiana are both on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, and Grant is someone who could help change that while playing alongside either Trae Young for the Hawks or Domantas Sabonis for the Pacers.
The Grizzlies are the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, and adding a pick-and-roll element with Ja Morant and Grant would make them even more dangerous to the league's best teams.
Then there is Chicago, which has the best record in the Eastern Conference at 24-10. Grant could help maximize this current window with 32-year-old DeMar DeRozan playing some of the best basketball of his career and give the Bulls another scorer next to Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic with Lonzo Ball facilitating.
That is a daunting proposition for the rest of the East if it did come to fruition.
Pistons' Cade Cunningham Reportedly Placed in NBA's Health and Safety Protocols
Dec 22, 2021
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) drives to the basket against New York Knicks guard Evan Fournier (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game,Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021 in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham has been placed in the NBA's health and safety protocols, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.
The rookie out of Oklahoma State, who Detroit selected No. 1 overall in the 2021 NBA draft, has averaged 15.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this year.
Cunningham isn't the only NBA player to enter the league's protocols on Wednesday.
As Rod Beard of the Detroit News noted, the Pistons didn't have a player enter the health and safety protocols this season until Wednesday.
The day before, Detroit lost 105-91 at the New York Knicks, who have had a COVID-19 outbreak within their team.
According to Peter Botte of the New York Post, the addition of New York center Nerlens Noel to the health and safety protocols put seven Knicks on the list, although the team announced Wednesday that forward Obi Toppin has since been cleared.
Now the Pistons' star rookie, who lit up the NBA with 22.0 points per game over an eight-matchup stretch from Nov. 30 to Dec. 18, will be out for the time being.
Earlier Tuesday, the Pistons signed big man Cheick Diallo to a 10-day contract, per Charania. That foreshadowed the Cunningham move, with the team needing to make room on the roster for the new signing.
The Pistons' next scheduled game is at the Miami Heat on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Sans Cunningham, Detroit could provide more minutes to backup guards including Saben Lee, Frank Jackson and Rodney McGruder.
NBA Trade Rumors: Jerami Grant, Dennis Schroder Most Likely to Move at Deadline
Dec 17, 2021
Boston Celtics guard Dennis Schroder (71) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Boston Celtics guard Dennis Schroder and Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant are the two players most likely to be traded before the Feb. 10 NBA trade deadline, per reporter Marc Stein.
According to Stein, rival teams increasingly view Grant as a trade possibility because Detroit has lost 13 games in a row and is on pace to win just 12 games.
Stein also said Schroder is likely to be moved because the Celtics don't want to break up Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and there are questions about whether president of basketball operations Brad Stevens would be willing to move Marcus Smart.
Schroder signed a one-year, $5.9 million deal with the Celtics in August after spending the 2020-21 campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers. He reportedly turned down a four-year, $80 million extension with the Purple and Gold during the season.
The 28-year-old has played an important role in Boston's starting lineup. He ranks third on the team behind Tatum and Brown in points per game (17.1) and is averaging 3.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists through 27 games.
Trading Schroder would make sense for the Celtics. Boston likely can't re-sign him because he could receive significant offers, and the team has hefty contracts for next year for Tatum ($30.4 million), Brown ($28.7 million) and Al Horford ($26.5 million with $14.5 million guaranteed).
The C's are 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 14-14 record and look far from a playoff contender compared to the best teams in the East, like the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks. They'll need to make some changes.
As for Grant, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported earlier this week that he is expected to be one of the most sought-after players this winter, and Detroit is open to a possible deal. Charania identified the Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers as teams in pursuit of the veteran.
Grant has spent the last two seasons of his career in Detroit and has elevated his game. In 24 games this season, he's averaging 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 41.4 percent from the floor and 33.1 percent from deep.
The 27-year-old is sidelined with torn ligaments in his right thumb, and it's unclear when he'll return, though Charania noted the injury isn't likely to affect his trade market.
Jerami Grant Trade Rumors: Lakers, Blazers Among Teams Pursuing Pistons Veteran
Dec 13, 2021
Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant (9) moves the ball up court in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
The Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers are among the teams that have expressed interest in trading for Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported Grant is one of the most "sought-after players" on the market. "Dozens of teams" have been calling the Pistons on a regular basis to check in on Grant's availability.
Grant is in the second season of a three-year, $60 million deal that he signed with the Pistons in 2020. He is currently out of the lineup while dealing with torn ligaments in his thumb, but Charania reported his injury status has not impacted his trade value.
Any Lakers trade package would begin with Talen Horton-Tucker, who cannot be traded until Jan. 15 because he signed a contract using Bird Rights with a raise of more than 20 percent. The Lakers would then have to add in Kenrick Nunn, who has yet to make his team debut, and one veteran's minimum contract in order to make salaries match. Their next tradable first-round pick is not until 2026 and would likely be required in any deal for Grant.
The Blazers are in a massive state of organizational upheaval after the firing of president of basketball operations Neil Olshey. They aren't likely to make any major moves until they install a permanent replacement for Olshey.
Portland has several contracts that could be combined for a Grant match, and Anfernee Simons could interest the Pistons as a developmental young player.
Grant has proved capable of far more than his previous three-and-D role since signing with the Pistons, but he doesn't profile as a top option on a good team. He would be a strong fit on the perimeter for both the Lakers or Blazers as a third or fourth option, though it's more likely one of the "dozens" of other teams come through with a better offer.
The Lakers' roster constrictions and Portland's front-office upheaval make deals far too difficult to navigate at the moment.
