Jerami Grant has been a name mentioned constantly in trade talks around the league as the trade deadline approaches. Grant has been out with a thumb injury since December but was the Pistons’ most productive player before it happened, averaging over 20 points and nearly 5 rebounds a game.
He would be an excellent piece to add for any contending teams looking to improve and the Lakers, Jazz and Wizards have all been previously mentioned as interested parties. Now, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer has named the favorites to land Grant, suggesting that the Washington Wizards are seen as his main suitors ahead of the trade deadline.
“Despite general manager Tommy Sheppard’s contract extension, Washington’s front office is still under a dose of pressure to build the best complementary roster it can around Bradley Beal ahead of the All-Star guard’s contract extension this summer.
“Following the Wizards’ 10-3 start, they are currently in the play-in tournament tier of teams, and Grant would seemingly add the perfect punch to their frontcourt. Knowing Detroit’s asking price, it’s difficult to imagine a deal structure that doesn’t send either Deni Avdija or Rui Hachimura back to the Pistons. Montrezl Harrell’s expiring $9.7 million contract can help make the salaries match, and Harrell has been considered available for trade, according to league sources.”
The Wizards are the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference and adding a player like Grant to their roster would certainly improve their chances of contending for a confirmed playoff spot by a large margin. Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija are both promising young players but neither can provide the production that Grant brings to the table.
Grant went to high school in Maryland, something that could provide possible advantage in terms of the player’s desire to join the Wizards. While the current roster has enjoyed some success in the regular season already, another solid win-now piece would allow them to at least hang with the big boys in the conference come playoff time.
