Report: Blazers Not Interested In Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell In Jerami Grant Trade

According to NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Portland Trail Blazers are not interested in acquiring D’Angelo Russell from the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The Lakers are trying to acquire Jerami Grant, but the Blazers want two first-round picks and Los Angeles doesn’t want to trade two first-round picks for Grant. 

Report: Blazers don’t want D’Angelo Russell in potential Jerami Grant trade https://t.co/M9xJCJBpt8

— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) July 28, 2024

Russell picked up his 2024-25 player option worth $18.7 million. The Lakers are shopping the Ohio State product. 

A one-time All-Star, Russell averaged 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks in 2023-24 while shooting 45.6% from the field, 41.5% from beyond the arc and 82.8% from the free-throw line. 

Russell told NBA reporter Dave McMenamin of ESPN he wants to stay with the Lakers and play for new head coach JJ Redick. 

“I love what JJ is about and I really see myself thriving under his guidance to help win at a high level,” Russell told ESPN. 

Redick has yet to coach above the youth level. He played 15 years in the NBA with the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks.

Grant is represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, the agent who represents Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Grant appeared in 54 games for the Blazers in 2023-24. He averaged 21.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 45.1% from the field, 40.2% from beyond the arc and 81.7% from the free-throw line.

Grant will make $29.8 million next season. He signed a five-year, $160 million contract with the Blazers last July.

“They’re stubborn,” an NBA exec told Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports about the Blazers. “Part of the job is to be stubborn, though. But part of the job is also seeing your mistakes and getting out of them. Grant was a mistake. Trading him now just to get out of that salary is the right thing to do, take whatever picks or young guys you can get.”