he Atlanta Hawks missed out on landing Jerami Grant as the combination forward was recently traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Hawks had been interested in the former Syracuse standout but knew that they were in a bidding war.
It is a little surprising how little the Trail Blazers paid in order to secure Grant’s services. They sent a 2025 first-round pick which they got from the New Orleans Pelicans via the Milwaukee Bucks, meaning that allowed them to keep their own first-round pick from this draft.
The Trail Blazers also worked second-round picks into the deal. They sent back the 2025 second-round pick that they originally got from the Pistons. They also swapped their 2022 second-round pick, going back from No. 36 to No. 46. Lastly, they sent the most favorable 2026 second-round pick between the Pelicans or Blazers pick. Not a lot to give up for a player like Grant,
The Atlanta Hawks were clearly never in the hunt for Jerami Grant
The Hawks appeared never to be in the hunt for Grant’s services. It is clear that the Pistons were looking to create some cap space in order to lure some high-quality prospects to the franchise, either by trade or via free agency.
If the Hawks had managed to land Grant, they would have had to send back some salary which appears to be against what the Pistons were trying to achieve. They could have involved a third team to take on the salary but that would have made a very complex deal for a player that may not have moved the needle a great deal for the Hawks.
The good thing is that Grant has loved playing the Hawks. Now that he is in another conference, this should mean that the Hawks should get an easier time against the young, up-and-coming Pistons. This could mean another two or three wins on the season which could really help them qualify directly for the playoffs next season.