Over three weeks remain until the NBA trade deadline takes place on February 10th, but the long weekend apparently coaxed several NBA reporters to empty their notebooks of NBA rumors and leaks today. After Sam Amick shared that the Kings are fascinated by the idea of adding either Ben Simmons or Domantas Sabonis on The Athletic NBA Show, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report reported that the Kings have also shown interest in power forward Jerami Grant, who is expected to be moved at or before the deadline by the tanking Detroit Pistons:
“As Simmons is still unlikely to be moved, Grant has attracted around a dozen suitors. With apologies to Myles Turner, “He’s the grand prize of this deadline,” one team strategist said.
The Lakers, Trail Blazers, Knicks, Jazz, Wizards, Celtics, Pacers, Timberwolves and Kings have all signaled interest in the 27-year-old.
The frenzy comes one year after Pistons general manager Troy Weaver swiftly declined any inquiry about Grant’s availability after the forward surprisingly chose Detroit in free agency. Sources say Detroit is now asking for two first-round picks or one first-round pick plus a high-upside young player.”
Grant is an interesting target for a team like the Sacramento Kings. At first glance, swapping Chimezie Metu or Marvin Bagley as the starting power forward for a player of Grant’s caliber seems like an easy win, as he’s putting up 20 points per game for the Pistons, but Grant may also be enjoying the classic “good player, bad team” boost that Kings fans have become all too familiar with over the years. Those 20.1 points are coming on about 16 field goal attempts, not exactly the greatest efficiency in the world for a big man. In fact, Grant ranks in just the 10th percentile in effective field goal percentage this year, as well as in the 19th percentile in paint attempts, as he sinks only 59% of his shots at the rim. And although he may be touted as a floor-spacing four, Grant has also struggled to knock down the deep ball over the last couple of years. Last season, he knocked down 35% of his three-point attempts, while he’s sitting at 33% during the current campaign.
Defensively, Grant would solve some problems for Sacramento, as he’s shown the ability to defend up and down from his primary position as a power forward throughout this career. Adding his versatility next to Harrison Barnes would grant Alvin Gentry a much more dependable defensive front court; however, he’s an even worse rebounder than Barnes. As a career-long power forward, Grant has averaged just 4 rebounds per game, and he’s snagging only 4.8 per night this season. His addition may exacerbate Sacramento’s already awful defensive rebounding issues, depending on who joined him in the starting lineup and what players the Kings surrendered in the deal.
Good or bad fit aside, the potential cost for Grant may also be prohibitive for Sacramento. According to Fischer, his cost is in the range of two first round picks or a first rounder and a young player, similar to the return Aaron Gordon commanded at the deadline last year. Grant is also only signed for one additional season, so sending out multiple first rounders or Davion Mitchell and a pick would require the Kings to start competing much sooner rather than later, a tall task considering the poor results of the current roster.
A player like Jerami Grant may sound like a solid, win-now backup option if the Kings miss out on All-Stars such as Ben Simmons and Domantas Sabonis, but Grant would likely be a much better investment for a contender looking to add their final piece, a la the Denver Nuggets with Gordon last season, rather than a team like the Sacramento Kings, a team trying to stay relevant in the chase for the play-in tournament, rather than competing for anything of significance.
Grant’s OK, but he strikes me as the prototypical buy-high candidate. I’d be wary.
I guess it would depend on what else happened. If that was the lone move, its pretty meh. If he cost Buddy and a FRP, and he was brought in to replace HB who was moved for something else consequential, then I would be more intrigued.
What makes you think that? I think he would’ve done so early on in his tenure if he buys high.
Grant is a great get if he’s your 3rd-5th starter. Does anyone think that’s where he’d fall in our pecking order?
Agree. If the Kings are going to restructure via trades do not recreate the same problem.
Over hyping average or below average players has destroyed this organization.
Report: the kings are interested in EVERYONE, McNair is not interested to make a trade just to make a trade, Vivek is only interested in shortsighted moves that guarantee a 11th seed.
Best of the rest…let’s go…
All in for the play in!
Full stop: Grant is not worth a 1st round pick unless he is the missing role piece to a contending team who is looking to go all in.
Sacramento should not give up any assets other than expiring deals and some 2nd round picks for him.
Knowing the Kangz, they will give up all assets that are not expiring deals and second round picks. 😉
Pistons are looking for young assets and picks. Kings have neither. Don’t see any way the Kings are in the mix for him. Celts. Knicks, Wolves have a lot more to offer.
Huh? The Kings have all their own picks and young assets (Fox, Mitchell, and Hali), but in my opinion should NOT move them for Grant.
Breaking report: There will be more reports.
Hopefully a report on something actually happening.
FWIW…
https://twitter.com/LegionHoops/status/1483525968408899585
Wow. I think that is a great haul. I was buying stock on Bey early last year when I started watching Pistons games because he was on my fantasy team. Grant is a great playoff asset with his defensive versatility. Seems like Morey could have brought a third team into it dangling Olynyk and the FRP.
I really think Morey wants to ship Harris out with Simmons. I beginning to believe his ultimate goal is to clear cap space for a big free agent this summer.
To me Grant is on par to just below Harrison Barnes in terms of talent, Bey is a young prospect on a rookie deal, and Olynyk is vet filler.
So to me an on part trade from the Kings would be Barnes, Buddy, Mitchell and a first. If the 76ers wanted to include Harris to clear the cap, the Kings could add TT and Bagley.
Ben and Harris for Barnes, Buddy, Mitchell, TT, Bagley and a 1st works in the trade machine, but I think it’s too much to give up. It would gut the Kings roster and assets.
I am really beginning to think that Morey really is fine waiting until the season is up, and seeing if he can do a sign and trade to get Harden from the Nets.
I think that is a lot to give up too, the FRP puts it over the top to me. Holmes-Fox-Haliburton-Harris-Simmons is a line up that sorely needs shooting. Yikes. I wouldn’t love it but it wouldn’t surprise me.
Could be a report ‘leaked’ from the Sixers camp.
It’s the season of smoke and mirrors.
Hmmm the question is if that first round pick is protected given that it could be a top 3 pick. Unprotected that’s not a bad haul and is probably a better deal for the Pistons than Fox straight across. If it’s a protected first rounder, I’d take the Fox deal over that one.
Vivek always chases the biggest name like a dog chasing a feces-smeared car.
How about a clever GM doing something, well, clever, and finding a deal that no one expected. Brandon Ingram anyone?
Simmons is the worst idea – a malcontent on a ridiculous contract. But I fully expect him and the dumb contract of Tobias Harris to be in Sacramento in three weeks. All at the expense of multiple first rounders and a very talented point guard.
Like every year, Kings will be mentioned in 2-3 big names. Ultimately they will settle for more deck chairs. Players Like Wiggens and Josh Hart are what they will end up with.
Wiggins is re-born in GS – I would be surprised if the Dubs moved him for anyone on the Kings roster.
Is there a need for more size for the Warriors? Would Holmes or Bagley interest them?
I can’t envision Bagley getting any burn for the Dubs, and they would not trade any of their core or young assets for Holmes.
I mean, maybe Wiseman for Holmes if they have given up on him?
They’d never do Wiseman for Holmes. I’d give them Holmes, Bagley and two seconds for Wiseman but I don’t think they’d do that either.
Agreed – it only happens if they are 100% out on him at this point.
The Warriors don’t need to make any moves.
Warriors can decide which free agents they want. No need to destroy a winning culture with Bagley. Holmes would be a bench big on that team.
The Kings are always ranked near the bottom in rebounding. Why on earth would they want to trade for a PF that only averages 4.8 rebounds. Makes no sense at all…..
Fox and Holmes to Charlotte for
Hayward, PJ Washington and Kai Jones or Jaden McDaniels
I think Charlotte would be an interesting trade destination for Holmes. I have no idea why they’d be interested in Fox. Buy if that deal WERE to be real, I’d think at least a couple 1sts would be coming the Kings way. I’ve mentioned elsewhere that I’d be interested in throwing WAY too much money at Bridges this offseason then if/when they match offer to help them create space by taking Hayward off their hands for the low price of a couple/few 1sts/young players.
With ya on Miles Bridges. Love to see the Kings take a run at him this summer. I don’t think for a moment he leaves Charlotte unless they won’t offer him max money, but that’s another issue.
BREAKING: Kangz interested in players that don’t suck, willing to offer multiple players that do suck in exchange.
Kings also interested in Giannis, Durant, Steph, and people not giving them shit for doing nothing.
Giannis for fox, who says no???
OT: Just read on some Suns twitter feed that PHX may be looking for a cheap combo forward to shore up wing depth for the postseason. They also are almost assuredly not going to hang onto Jalen Smith since they declined his option.
I say Mo Harkless and a 2nd rounder for Jalen Smith to kick those tires.
I wouldn’t trade for Smith because of the same contractual obligations that he carries as Giles carried. I would rather offer him slightly above what Phoenix can give him this offseason if he continues to play well. No need to limit myself now.
Adam’s proposal seems more about getting rid of Harkless than acquiring Smith.
This is what worries me when the fanbase calls for a move to be made, any move….you get ‘any moves’ that become lateral or worse. Grant won’t add any more wins to the team.
Agreed. Grant is just better defending, but worse shooting version of Harrison Barnes. He doesn’t move the needle on a shit team, but can help a contender.
These two weeks before the trade deadline is more exciting than watching Kings basketball!
Haha – right and well said.
Umm…
https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1483590237808992257?t=ZALoba_WP9G9yXNImh4sAA&s=19
LOL! I’d say “SEND HIM TO…DETROIT,” but he’s already there.
Is he high?
Everyone else wants that here. He’ll fit right in!
I suspect when it’s all said and done we’ll all be wishing that the Kings had acquired Jerami Grant (or a player of his caliber), instead of whoever does end up in a Kings uniform.
Not for what he’s asking
Report: Kings looking to be active at the trade deadline.
I used to think Grant was one of the most underrated players in the NBA when he played with the Thunder. Many OKC fans were advocating playing Patrick Patterson over him and they did for awhile which was as awful assessment. Now I think he’s reaching the point where he might be a bit overrated. He’s a versatile defender and can run the court but beyond that his skills are okay at best.
Having said that, I mean when someone raises the question about getting Grant we have to ask the question in return for what. If we got him for Bagley straight across it would be an absolute steal which is highly unlikely. I’d assume Detroit wants youth and/or draft picks. I wouldn’t give up Mitchell and first round draft picks for him. So I’d gladly give up Bagley and Metu and a couple of second rounders for Grant. Beyond that it’s a no go for me.
Agreed. Grant has gone the way of Tobias Harris. Underrated for years, then overrated. Grant is a good player, but he should be making about $5MM less per season and putting up about a 16 USG% instead of the 26 he’s doing now.
Yeah it appears the Kings are either trying to get better now without sacrificing the future or they are trying to build for the future without getting worse now. Either thought process is a loser to me. I think a major rebuild is necessary but management can’t accept that. Grant would be one of those acquisitions that fit the mindset of the two examples I gave.
I believe the Wizards would desperately like to get rid of that Bertans contract and they are in a win now mode. I wonder if they would take Barnes and Harkless and a second rounder for Bertans, Hachimura, and Avidija. I’m not interested in Bertans and he has an awful contract at 29 years old but getting two young players like Hachimura and Avdija would be interesting.
This is an interesting idea. But I doubt it fits with what the basketball people would prefer to do. Also, I only do that for Buddy if I can’t get an expiring contract for him.
I’d rather move Buddy also but Washington wouldn’t do it for because they already have that skill set (KCP)and Barnes is a much better fit for them especially if they are giving up Hachimura. i think this trade may slightly improve the Kings now and be part of a rebuilding process. That Bertans contract is a real albatross so the Wizards may do it. He is however a serviceable player off the bench and shoots fairly well.
It’s certainly an interesting idea. I guess as I look at it, it’s doable IF you move on from Buddy’s contract at the same time. But the bigger concern is you’re taking on Hachimura’s deal with only a year left and Avidja’s 2 years left after this season on their rookie deals. For what’s likely to be 3 years of Bertans at that.
I don’t know that would be enough to take on Bertans salary for me.
True but they still would have the QO’s on those two guys. This is why it’s important to create cap space so yes dumping Buddy’s contract is important. I like creating cap space and then using that cap space to take on a bad contract is exchange for young talent and /or draft capital. This isn’t the perfect deal but the type of deals the Kings should be looking at.
QO’s are used mainly to make a player RFA in practice. Rarely does a player ever sign the QO. There are too many stringent restrictions for teams and players alike to sign one.
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