KEY POINTS

  • The Boston Celtics are dangling multiple first-round picks for Jerami Grant of the Detroit Pistons
  • The Pistons are unlikely to settle for picks for Grant
  • The Celtics may have to settle for free agents and buyout candidates to beef up frontline

The Boston Celtics appear to be seriously chasing Jerami Grant of the Detroit Pistons even if their chances of success are not that high.

The Cs allegedly offered multiple future first-rounders to the Pistons, but it appears that will not be enough.

That plan was suggested when James Edwards III of The Athletic appeared on the A-List podcast. Boston’s pursuit of Grant was among the topics with the pundit saying that he was unsure what “multiple” meant.

Edwards mentioned it could be two to three picks for the services of the 27-year-old player.

Regardless of what Boston has in mind, Edwards shares the same sentiment as most. He does not see the Pistons trading away their prized recruit for the current NBA season.

The Pistons signed Grant to a three-year deal worth $60 million in November 2020 following a sign-and-trade deal with the Denver Nuggets.

“I don’t think Jerami Grant is on another team starting in April,” Edwards said. “Boston seems like a team that is very, very, very desperate to get him.”

This hardly gives the Celtics any mileage in any potential Grant chase. Brad Stevens needs some help up front to boost their season, and the name of the Oregon native somehow popped up in recent weeks.

The Pistons have no reason to deal away Grant despite a woeful season. They are dead last in the Eastern Conference, but the player is seen as one of their main blocks moving forward.

In 33 games, the former second-round pick has upped his averages tremendously. He is averaging 23.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 36.2 minutes of action.

Jerami Grant Jayson Tatum Cetics Pistons
Jerami Grant #9 of the Detroit Pistons looks to pass against Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter at TD Garden on February 12, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Hence, the Celtics may be better off targeting free agents or ones bound to be bought out soon. The NBA trade deadline is on March 25, and most teams are monitoring the situations of players like Andre Drummond, JaVale McGee and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Boston boasts of a youthful and talented lineup that includes Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker. They could use some muscle upfront, a reason why it would be wise to keep an eye on the Celtics by the NBA trade deadline.

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