Pistons: 3 bold predictions for the NBA draft and offseason

Bold Pistons predictions for the NBA draft and offseason: 1. Jerami Grant isn’t going anywhere

The Pistons found themselves a true gem in Jerami Grant last offseason. They signed him to a three-year, $60 million deal; the same contract his previous team, the Denver Nuggets, offered him.

Grant had the opportunity to be the third-best player on the defending Western Conference Finalist Nuggets, alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, or being the first building block in the Detroit Pistons rebuilding project. Being that cornerstone (Athletic paywall), on a team with a Black general manager in Weaver and a Black head coach in Dwane Casey, was an appealing proposition and Detroit was his ultimate choice.

Given the opportunity to flourish as the No. 1 option, he did indeed take advantage. After a spectacular start to the season, the load weighed on him and he wore down after proven NBA teammates like Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin parted ways with the team.

Grant is probably less of a true lead-dog and more of a collaborative star (if either of those are even really things), and his life is about to get a whole lot easier with a certain Cade Cunningham soon coming. Both he and the organization have to be absolutely delighted with the direction of the franchise, even if they didn’t win the lottery. Having done so is just a major bonus for all parties.