The Washington Wizards have emerged as favorites to land Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant ahead of next month’s NBA trade deadline, according to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer.
Several league personnel view Washington as a favorite to land Grant. He hails from the D.C. area, his father Harvey played for the franchise from 1988-93 and again from 1996-98. The Wizards’ first-year head coach Wes Unseld Jr. also coached Grant as an assistant with the Nuggets.
The 27-year old Grant is viewed as the grand prize of this year’s trade cycle. A report last week from the Athletic’s Shams Charania says the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trailblazers and New York Knicks are among others to also be in pursuit of Grant.
Grant is nursing a thumb injury that has sidelined him since Dec. 12. However, he has shown to be a great asset. Through 24 games this season, Grant is averaging 20.1 points. This is after he averaged a career-high 22.3 points in 54 games last season.
The Wizards have stacked great depth in a complete retool after general manager Tommy Sheppard offloaded Russell Westbrook and his $44.2 million salary on the Los Angeles Lakers this past offseason.
Still there is pressure on Sheppard to do some further work in attempt to appease Wizards three-time all-star Bradley Beal to sign a contract extension, according to Fischer.
But it’s going to cost the Wizards to land Grant. Fischer adds the Wizards have made sixth man center Montrezl Harrell available. Washington acquired Harrell in the Westbrook trade from the Lakers along with Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Harrell has a team-friendly cap hit of $9.7 million this season. But it’s the final year of his two-year deal he initially signed with the Lakers in 2020. However, his salary alone is not enough to land Grant.
Thus, Washington will have to add pieces.
Wizards insider Quinton Mayo reported last week, Washington is trying to acquire Grant without including either of their 2019 and 2020 first-round picks Rui Hachimura or Deni Avdija.
Surely, that’s an ideal scenario for the Wizards. However, it’s hard to believe the Wizards can hold off Hachimura and Avdija considering how sought after Grant is.
There is no question Grant can be a huge addition for the Wizards. They need scoring production from the wing as well as length and size to defend the plethora of solid wing players in the Eastern Conference. Grant fills the need on both ends of the floor.
There are a number of connections for Grant with the Wizards. His dad, Harvey, played for the franchise. Grant, himself, played in the area in high school at DeMatha Catholic. And Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. coached him as an assistant in Denver.
The question is what will it take for the Wizards to best other suitors to get Grant?
