Blockbuster Trade Proposal Sends Blazers’ Jerami Grant To Lakers

One NBA analyst proposed that the Los Angeles Lakers acquire Jerami Grant from the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following mock trade between the Lakers and Blazers:

Los Angeles Lakers receive: Jerami Grant and Duop Reath

Portland Trail Blazers receive: D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick (via LAC)

“His stats have been a bit inflated by suiting up for some cellar-dwellers in recent seasons, but there are only so many ways to nitpick his 2023-24 average of 21 points per game when it was enhanced by an efficient 45.1/40.2/81.7 shooting slash,” Buckley wrote in his NBA trade proposal. “His volume would decrease while lining up alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but Grant could become more efficient on offense and more active on defense.

“As a third option—or even fourth if Austin Reaves authors a breakout effort—Grant is more than equipped for the job. He could function as almost a turbo-charged three-and-D forward, providing more slashing and self-sufficient scoring than the label normally applies.”

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

A versatile wing scorer and defender, Grant will make $29.8 million next season. He signed a five-year, $160 million contract with the Blazers last July.

Grant appeared in 54 games for the Blazers last season. 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.

The 30-year-old Grant has career averages of 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.0 blocks with the Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and Blazers.

The Lakers haven’t made any trades this offseason. They also haven’t signed anyone in free agency. 

Los Angeles went 47-35 in 2023-24. The team lost to the Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in five games.

Denver also beat Los Angeles in the 2023 Western Conference Finals in four games.