Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, who becomes trade eligible on January 15, is expected to become available before the 2024 trade deadline, according to rival league NBA executives who spoke with Michael Scotto of HoopsHype following the Damian Lillard trade.
The Blazers traded Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks and acquired Jrue Holiday from Milwaukee and Deandre Ayton from the Phoenix Suns. Grant signed a five-year, $160 million contract with Portland this offseason in free agency before Lillard requested a trade.
The 29-year-old Grant finished the 2022-23 season with averages of 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He shot 47.5% from the field, 40.1% from beyond the arc and 81.3% from the free-throw line.
Grant has played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and Blazers. He has career NBA averages of 12.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Grant will make $27.6 million next season.
NBA writer Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report thinks Portland paid way too much for Grant and that the franchise should trade the swingman as soon as he’s eligible to be moved.
“In three years, Grant will be 32 and will still have two seasons and $70 million remaining on his contract, including a $36.4 million player option in 2027-28,” Swartz wrote. “He’s essentially being paid like a No. 1 or No. 2 option, yet he’s probably the fourth-best player on a championship-caliber team. According to ProFitX.com, Grant’s real-time contract this past season was valued at $19 million.
“Portland has to hope that Grant gets off to a strong start to the 2023-24 seasons, eating up more shot opportunities following a Damian Lillard trade. The Blazers should try to move off his contract as soon as possible, even if the ink is still drying.”
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