NBA Rumors: Detroit Pistons To Target Former Player In Free Agency

With the return of franchise player Cade Cunningham from injury next season, the Detroit Pistons will be looking to accelerate their build into being in playoff contention. That's one of the reasons they held onto Bojan Bogdanovic at the trade deadline. But now, there's word that the Pistons could add yet another veteran piece in free agency, and a familiar one, at that.

According to a new report from Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press, former Piston Jerami Grant could be a target this summer for general manager Troy Weaver. He spent two solid seasons in Detroit, averaging 20.9 points over that time.

“A Pistons-Jerami Grant reunion this summer in free agency? Don’t count it out.” 👀

- @JLEdwardsIII pic.twitter.com/XYDfraNPr6

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) February 5, 2023

Grant has a 4-year, $112M extension offer on the table from the Trail Blazers, which he must accept before the end of June, or he'll become a free agent. He's indicated that he won't be signing that extension—the maximum Portland can offer due to CBA rules—preferring to wait until the offseason. 

Grant says that he's truly enjoying his time in Rip City, but doesn't want to sign anything in-season. “I’m kind of focused on the season at hand right now," said Grant. "Probably will wait until after the season and talk to (GM) Joe (Cronin). Everything is good. I like it here."

As an unrestricted free agent, Grant would be eligible for a much larger deal, in the range of 5 years, $233M from Portland, should they so choose, or a 4-year deal worth up to $174M from other teams.

The Pistons are likely to have up to $40M in cap space this summer to make some big-money adds. The team traded Grant to the Trail Blazers last June, in return for a 2025 first-round pick. So a chance to bring him back would simply fetch them a nice first-rounder in the transaction, without losing anything (aside from some fat stacks of cash). 

The soon-to-be 29-year-old is averaging 20.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists and 40.6% from long-distance.

Photo: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports