Boston Celtics: Pass or pursue on these 5 NBA trade deadline rumors

Pass or pursue: Jerami Grant, F, Detroit Pistons

When the Detroit Pistons shelled out $60 million over three seasons for Jerami Grant, it looked questionable on two accounts. First, Grant had been a low-usage dependent player through this point in his career and was earning this contract based on one burst of high-end play in the NBA bubble. Secondly, the Pistons were spending as if they expected to be a playoff team, and it seemed like a misunderstanding of where they were in the competitive cycle.

The first concern was completely blown away. Grant has been excellent, taking on the role of first option on the Pistons and absolutely performing. He has nearly doubled his career numbers in points (23.4), assists (2.9) and 3-pointers per game (2.5).

The second concern is, if possible, even more of an issue than before the season. The Pistons are just 10-26, last in the Eastern Conference and ahead of only the Minnesota Timberwolves leaguewide. This is a team that should be consolidating assets to be good in three-to-five years, unfortunately, not trying to add win-now pieces.

That isn’t to say Grant can’t be both, and at 26 he will still likely be in his prime in a few seasons. The Pistons could pair him with a couple of highly-drafted players to try and make a push. Yet the Pistons could also benefit form selling Grant when his value is high and gaining younger players and future draft capital to help the team down the line.

Enter the Boston Celtics, who need a player in the mold of Grant. A power forward who can slide to small-ball 5 easily, a high-level defender with an improved outside shot and the playmaking chops to create when asked to? Grant is a great fit on most any contender but fits the Celtics specifically well.

Will Detroit entertain trade offers? And will they accept what the Celtics have to offer? That’s a difficult question to answer. Grant is not a slam dunk superstar, but at this point the Celtics may not have the assets to trade for one, if-and-when one even comes available again. They need to deal with the options ahead of them. Grant has proven himself to be an excellent player with a lot of two-way versatility, and the Boston Celtics should make a hard push to add him if the opportunity arises at the NBA trade deadline.

No more holding onto all of your chips, Danny Ainge: make a bold move.

Verdict: Pursue