With the NBA Draft on the horizon, teams are beginning to make moves.
On Wednesday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Portland Trail Blazers have acquired Jerami Grant from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for a 2025 1st-round pick (top-four protected), No. 36 pick in 2022, and a 2025 second-round pick.
Detroit will also receive a $21 million trade exception as part of the deal.
Detroit swaps 2022 second-round picks -- getting 36 for 46 -- with Portland, too. Denver gets a 2025 second-round pick back from Portland, and Portland sends the most favorable 2026 second-round pick between Portland and New Orleans to Detroit, sources said. https://t.co/c8M8TlEgoY
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2022
Who won the deal? We have you covered with some trade grades below.
Portland Trail Blazers trade grade
The Trail Blazers didn't have to give much up to fill a key role on their roster as they look to re-tool around superstar Damian Lillard.
Surprisingly, they were able to complete the deal without parting ways with their No. 7 pick in this year's draft, allowing them to add another top-end talent to their core of young players.
Additionally, per Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes, the Blazers are exploring a deal for Toronto Raptors swingman OG Anunoby for the seventh pick.
Portland Trail Blazers are in pursuit of Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby with the No. 7 pick in Thursday’s draft in play, league sources tell @YahooSports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 22, 2022
After relying on their undersized backcourt for offense in recent years, Grant immediately gives the Blazers a scoring threat from the wing. It also provides them a versatile defensive player who can cover multiple positions.
Last season, the Blazers were one of the worst defensive teams in the league, ranking 29th in defensive rating. Grant immediately slots in as their best defensive player.
Across 47 games last season, Grant averaged 19.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists on 42.6 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from the 3-point line.
The move also is a boost for Lillard, who was keen to team up with Grant. The pair won a gold medal together for Team USA at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Portland's ability to utilize the $21 million trade exception it created as part of dealings with the Clippers and Pelicans last season is a plus.
Trade grade: A-
Jerami Grant contract details
Grant signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Pistons in 2020 in search of a larger role on offense and while the Pistons didn't win a ton of games, he proved to be a capable two-way option as the focal point of their offense.
Entering the final year of his deal, Grant will be looking for a significant extension and as Wojnarowski reported, he is eligible for a four-year, $112 million deal.
Pistons trade grade
For the Pistons, this deal is more about shedding salary and acquiring draft capital.
Although the first round pick isn't until 2025, it's of much more valuable to the rebuilding Pistons than the Trail Blazers. Pistons fans will likely view this deal with the belief that their team could have gotten more in return.
Along with a $21 million trade exception, the Pistons have freed up $43 million in cap space as they look to add more talent around 2021 No. 1 pick and Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey and Marvin Bagley III.
According to The Athletic's James L. Edwards III, the Pistons are expected to "heavily" pursue Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, who is set to become a restricted free agent.
The Suns can match any offer for Ayton, but the Pistons will look to force their hand and overpay for the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
The Pistons have given themselves plenty of flexibility this summer and have been linked to several players including Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson, who will hit unrestricted free agent and Charlotte Hornets high-flyer Miles Bridges, who will be a restricted free agent.
While they could have gotten a greater return for a player of Grant's caliber, this moves sets the Pistons up to make a splash in the offseason.
Trade grade: B+
