Report: Lakers Could Pursue Jerami Grant, Jonas Valanciunas

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Los Angeles Lakers could pursue Jerami Grant and Jonas Valanciunas this offseason. 

Valanciunas is an unrestricted free agent. He’s not expected to return to the New Orleans Pelicans. 

Meanwhile, Grant is represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, the agent who represents Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Portland Trail Blazers are in rebuild mode, so Grant is better suited to play for a contender. 

“Pelicans center Jonas Valančiūnas, who’s approaching unrestricted free agency, has been another big man often mentioned by NBA figures as a potential Lakers frontcourt addition this summer,” Fischer wrote. “Los Angeles has also made that No. 17 selection available via trade, sources said, as the Lakers have evaluated the market for a significant contributor alongside James and Davis. The Lakers, remember, held serious talks with Atlanta about acquiring Dejounte Murray in the lead-up to February’s trade deadline. Jerami Grant, a client of Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, is believed to be another potential addition on the Lakers’ wishlist, according to league sources.”

The Lakers hired JJ Redick as their new head coach. Redick spent the weekend connecting with players up and down the Lakers’ roster over the phone, explaining his vision for some of their specific roles, per Fischer. 

One of the best shooters in NBA history, Redick left various Lakers players and their representatives with the impression that he’s going to value positional versatility, 3-point shooting and playmaking for lineups that can optimize LeBron off the ball, per Fischer. 

Valanciunas averaged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.8 blocks in 2023-24 while shooting 55.9% from the field, 30.8% from beyond the arc and 78.5% from the free-throw line. He had 33 double-doubles. 

Grant, meanwhile, averaged 21.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 45.1% overall, 40.2% from 3 and 81.7% from the foul line. He’ll make $29.8 million in 2024-25.