The Detroit Pistons are heading into the offseason looking for wing players and could have their sights set on Jerami Grant and Cam Johnson, according to one insider.
Grant just completed his first season with the Portland Trail Blazers after the Pistons traded him there prior to this season. Johnson arrived to the Brooklyn Nets during this season from the Phoenix Suns as part of the trade that included Kevin Durant.
“I know that they went into the offseason with the anticipation of trying to get him,” James Edwards of The Athletic said about Grant. “Whether or not that happens is up to Jerami. I think Portland should rebuild, but it doesn’t seem like they will. I guess there’s maybe a chance they have a change of heart and tear it down, and Portland is no longer interested. I’d be surprised if that happened. I think Detroit targets Jerami and at least throws an offer sheet at Cam Johnson and goes after the two biggest 3-and-D wings available. I think Brooklyn would probably match whatever realistic offer they get.”
Grant, who played two seasons for Detroit from 2020 to 2022, will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The 29-year-old averaged a career-high 22.3 points per game in 54 appearances with Detroit during the 2020-21 season.
The Pistons have made one of the biggest splashes so far this spring, as they gave Monty Williams a huge contract to become their new head coach. Now they’ll try to upgrade the players Williams gets to coach by looking to possibly add Grant or Johnson to a young core that includes former No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren.
Detroit had the worst record during the 2022-23 regular season at 17-65 and was obviously disappointed when it did not win the NBA Draft Lottery and get the right to select Victor Wembanyama with this year’s No. 1 pick. In fact, the Pistons fell to No. 5, which may have altered their offseason strategy.
Grant’s availability likely will depend on what direction the Trail Blazers go during the upcoming offseason. Portland reportedly still plans to build around star Damian Lillard, but the possibility of a rebuild always looms. Lillard recently said he would welcome a trade to the Miami Heat or Nets if that’s how things were to work out.
Williams replaced Dwane Casey, who transitioned to a role in the Pistons front office. The head-coaching job is considered one of the most promising in the NBA, and it could get even better if Grant or Johnson come on board.
