Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant is among the Boston Celtics trade targets ahead of the March 25 trade deadline, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Grant, 26, is having a monster season in his first year with the Pistons, signing as a free agent this offseason after a nice run with the Denver Nuggets.
He enters the All-Star break with averages of 23.4 points and 5.3 rebounds, and is one of the Pistons’ greatest reasons for hope. But with the Pistons in a rebuilding phase, and expected to be “sellers” at the deadline, it would be surprising if Celtics president Danny Ainge were to at least place a call on Grant.
On top of that, Grant would fit well into the Celtics’ trade exception of $28.5 million — as he is making $19 million.
That said, Ainge hasn’t been a big deal-maker at the deadline. He last made a trade at that time in 2015, when the Celtics acquired point guard Isaiah Thomas, as noted by Luke Adams of HoopsRumors.
Also, you have to wonder what the Pistons would want back for a player around whom they can build. He is already proven and therefore, likely better than a first-round pick.
So the Celtics may have interest in Grant, but talking the Pistons into making a deal may be another matter entirely.
The Celtics are also reportedly interested in Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic, but the Magic are believed to be considering Vucevic to be off-limits.
