Dec 3, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) dunks for the basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

'Hard to See Him Delivering Anywhere Near His Pay Grade’s Value' – Portland Trail Blazers’ $160 Million Forward Draws Pessimistic Outlook This Year

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Sep 10, 2025 8:41 AM ET

The Portland Trail Blazers have tried to offload some of their veteran players this summer, including Jerami Grant, who is under contract with the team for at least two more seasons.

Grant will earn roughly $32 million in the 2025-26 season, making him one of the most overpaid players in the NBA, according to Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale.

“Committing over $30 million per year to Jerami Grant entering his 30s was always a puzzling gambit by the Portland Trail Blazers. It looks worse after last season,” Favale wrote about the Portland Trail Blazers swingman.

Mar 12, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans forward Naji Marshall (8) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

“A seismic drop in rim frequency (18th percentile) and two-point efficiency (38.1 percent) are solid indicators of an overall decline. Pair all of this with suboptimal rebounding for his position(s) and what could be a much smaller role, and it’s hard to see Grant delivering anywhere near his pay grade’s value next season,” he concluded.

Portland Trail Blazers guard expected to take a big step next season

The Portland Trail Blazers have a handful of young players with whom they can build around. According to Michael Shearer of HoopsHype, Shaedon Sharpe can be the team’s breakout candidate this upcoming season.

Jan 14, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups talks to Scoot Henderson (00) and Shaedon Sharpe (17) during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images

“He spent last season adding notably more craft to his game, taking better care of the ball and finishing stronger at the rim. If the three-ball starts splashing the way it should (and his defense improves enough that Chauncey Billups doesn’t have to keep benching him), Sharpe still has borderline All-Star potential,” Shearer wrote.

“Sharpe’s fourth season will be an important one as he plays for a contract extension. The Blazers have reasonable roster continuity, but the replacement of Anfernee Simons (far too redundant with Sharpe for comfort) with Jrue Holiday as a mentor and table-setter could help bolster Sharpe’s effectiveness on both sides of the ball,” he added.