After an impressive three-year stretch, most of the buzz is suggesting Jerami Grant is headed back to the Blazers. But where else could he land?
In the 2020 offseason, Jerami Grant made a bold decision. He declined re-signing with the contending Denver Nuggets, in order to join the rebuilding Detroit Pistons.
The move gave the forward an opportunity to play a larger role, and he capitalized on it. In his first season with the Pistons, he averaged a career-high 22.3 points per game; that represented an increase of 10.3 points per game from his prior campaign.
After two years, the Pistons traded Grant to the Portland Trail Blazers last offseason. Grant was fantastic in his lone season in Portland, averaging 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks. He shot an efficient 40.1 percent from 3-point range.
Notably, only two NBA players averaged 20+ points, 4+ rebounds, and 0.8+ blocks, while shooting 40+ percent from deep last season: Grant and Kevin Durant.
With the Blazers attempting to build a contender around Damian Lillard, keeping Grant will be a high priority for the front office this summer, but a player of his caliber should receive plenty of interest from around the association.
Here are three surprise landing spots.
Wild-card landing spots for Jerami Grant: 3. Sacramento Kings
Prior to the 2022 trade deadline, the Kings emerged as a "strong suitor" for Grant, per Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer.
It would make sense for the franchise to make another run at him this offseason. They dumped Richaun Holmes's contract on draft night to open up cap space. That is a clear signal that the Kings will be aggressive in free agency.
With four returning starters under contract (De'Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis), they could look to upgrade the small forward spot. Grant would be a logical fit.
The Kings have a clear path to reach $30.146 million in cap space by renouncing cap holds for Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Lamb, Terence Davis, Alex Len, Corey Brewer, Matthew Dellavedova, Keon Ellis, Neemias Queta, and Chimezie Metu. In this scenario, they would retain their room mid-level exception ($7.722 million) and the early bird rights for Trey Lyles. Subsequently, they could offer Grant a four-year, $120 million deal.
Wild-card landing spots for Jerami Grant: 2. Houston Rockets
The Rockets have been linked to an abundance of free agents. With a league-high $59.873 million in practical cap space, the franchise is equipped to make a big splash in free agency.
Grant would be a great fit for their current roster. The Rockets could deploy a starting five of Amen Thompson, Jalen Green, Grant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun with Kevin Porter Jr., Tari Eason, and Cam Whitmore leading the second unit.
Grant's shooting would be a major asset to the Rockets, who were last in the NBA in 3-point percentage (32.7). As an established scorer, he would alleviate some of the pressure on the team's young players, as well.
With their 2024 first-round pick due to the Oklahoma City Thunder (top-four protected), the Rockets have less incentive to tank this season. Furthermore, their young core has to start winning games at some point. Grant is a talented player, who could catapult them into the play-in discussion. If the front office wants him, they could put pressure on the Blazers with a huge offer.
Wild-card landing spots for Jerami Grant: 1. Detroit Pistons
Grant chose to sign with the Pistons in 2020. Why not again?
The Pistons appear to be buyers. They elected to hold onto veteran Bojan Bogdanovic at the trade deadline. They also had "significant" trade discussions with the Atlanta Hawks regarding DeAndre Hunter, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
The Pistons could reach $32.778 million in cap space by declining Alec Burks's team option and renouncing cap holds for Hamidou Diallo, Cory Joseph, and Rodney McGruder.
In the past, Grant expressed his love for the city. In 2022, he told MLive's Lauren Williams that he will continue to serve the city, regardless of where he plays:
"It doesn't really matter to me regardless if I'm here or not. I think with my foundation and with everybody, I kind of built roots here. So if I do end up somewhere else, I'm still going to be giving back as much as I can and whenever I can get back for a minute or something like that, I'll do that… my roots are tied here regardless of which way my career goes."
A reunion would make sense for both sides.
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