Trade Proposal Sends Blazers’ Jerami Grant To Grizzlies

One NBA writer proposed that the Memphis Grizzlies acquire Jerami Grant from the Portland Trail Blazers this summer. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Grizzlies and Blazers:

The trade: The Portland Trail Blazers trade Jerami Grant to the Memphis Grizzlies for Luke Kennard, Brandon Clarke and a lightly protected future first

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

The Blazers went 21-61 in 2023-24, while the Grizzlies went 27-55. 

“Portland has more than a few useful veterans to flip for long-term assets, and Grant sits at the top of that list,” Buckley wrote in his NBA trade article. “Sure, he’s overpaid and over his skis as a first option, but as a potential finishing piece for a team like Memphis, he could still have significant value.

“Even if the Grizzlies didn’t plan on keeping one (or both) of Kennard and Clarke, they’d do well to nab a lightly protected future first and get Grant’s contract off their books. While some might argue for a trade involving Anfernee Simons, given the overlap between him, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, Simons’ value shouldn’t be at risk of declining any time soon, so Portland could delay that deal until it’s more obvious what it needs to eventually start winning again.”

Grant will make $29.8 million next season. The 30-year-old has career averages of 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists with the Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and Blazers. 

The Grizzlies are expected to be back in the postseason next year since Ja Morant will be healthy. Morant only played in nine games this season due to a suspension and shoulder injury. 

Memphis would have a “Big 4” of Morant, Grant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane if the Grizzlies’ front office acquired Grant from the Blazers.