Jerami Grant might be the next Trail Blazers’ big name on the move. He’s in the second year of that huge five-year, $160 million deal he signed back in 2023, so he’s been eligible for a trade for a while now. The Blazers are sitting at 8-16, near the bottom of the West, and the focus is clearly on building around their young core. With that in mind, the front office seems open to moving him, and according to Shams Charania, contenders are already lining up for the versatile forward.
This year hasn’t been Grant’s best. He’s putting up 15.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists over 22 games, and the Blazers’ struggles haven’t helped. But for squads that actually have their eyes on a playoff run, Grant’s defensive versatility and ability to get buckets in the right system make him a great fit. He’s exactly the kind of guy a contender needs to take things to the next level.
Moving Grant sooner rather than later makes sense. He’s still got value around the league, and flipping him for picks or young pieces would be a win for a group that’s clearly not competing anytime soon. Meanwhile, for teams in the playoff hunt, Grant could be that missing piece they’ve been waiting for.
1. Dallas Mavericks
Potential Trade Offer For Grant: P.J. Washington, Jaden Hardy, Maxi Kleber
The Mavericks are sitting at 16-9, holding down 4th in the West, and things are looking solid. Luka Doncic is doing Luka things, and Derek Lively II has been a great sophomore, locking down the paint like a seasoned vet. But let’s be real—there’s room for improvement, especially with Klay Thompson not quite delivering what they’d hoped. Klay’s averaging just 13.3 points on 39% shooting, and while his experience is valuable, the Mavs need more firepower and versatility if they want to make a serious run again.
Enter Jerami Grant to the mix. Adding Grant would give Dallas exactly what they’re missing—a two-way forward who can defend multiple positions and chip in consistent scoring without needing the ball all the time. With Luka orchestrating the offense, Grant would thrive as a secondary scorer and a defensive anchor alongside Lively. Plus, pairing Grant with Naji Marshall on the wing would give the Mavs a scary perimeter defense to go along with their already impressive interior presence. This team could go from good to seriously dangerous quickly.
To get Grant, the Mavs could send P.J. Washington, who’s been putting up 12.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists this season. Washington’s a solid player—good on the boards, decent from deep—but let’s be honest, he’s not moving the needle like Grant would. Throw in Jaden Hardy, who’s shown some promise with 6.5 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists but has not broken out yet, and Maxi Kleber, a reliable vet who can stretch the floor, and you’ve got a package that makes sense for both sides.
For the Mavs, this deal would lock in their identity. Grant fits perfectly with what they’re building—a defensive-minded squad that can get buckets when it matters. He’s the kind of player who can take pressure off Luka in crunch time, match up with stars like Kevin Durant or LeBron James, and bring some playoff toughness to a team that’s been missing it. If Dallas wants to be more than just a solid regular-season team, this is the kind of move that pushes them into true contender territory.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
Potential Trade Offer For Grant: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, 2029 First-Round Pick
The Lakers are sitting at 13-11, holding the 8th spot in the West, and it’s been a rollercoaster season so far. LeBron James is still doing his thing, but the supporting cast hasn’t been consistent enough to elevate the team into true contender territory. Adding Jerami Grant could change that. Grant would give the Lakers an immediate upgrade at forward, someone who can provide scoring, defend multiple positions, and fit seamlessly alongside LeBron and Anthony Davis.
The proposed trade would send Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and a 2029 first-round pick to the Blazers. Hachimura has been decent this year, averaging 12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, but he hasn’t quite matched the impact he had during last season. Vincent, on the other hand, has struggled to find his rhythm in L.A., contributing just 3.8 points, 0.8 assists, and 1.1 rebounds per game, while dealing with injuries. The 2029 pick adds future value to the deal, which the Blazers would surely prioritize as they rebuild.
For the Lakers, Grant fills a lot of gaps. His defensive versatility would help take pressure off AD in the paint and give the team a better option to match up against bigger wings. Offensively, he’s capable of creating his own shot, something this roster desperately needs outside of LeBron. Pairing Grant with the current core would make the Lakers far more balanced and dangerous in the playoffs, where depth matters less, and star power takes over.
The downside? The Lakers would lose depth on the bench, and trading another first-rounder puts them further into “win now” mode, leaving little room for error. But for a team trying to maximize what’s left of LeBron’s prime, it’s a move worth considering. Adding Grant gives them a legitimate shot to compete with the West’s elite, and that’s the kind of swing they need to take.
3. Miami Heat
Potential Trade Offer For Grant: Duncan Robinson, Haywood Highsmith, Josh Richardson, Thomas Bryant, 2029 First-Round Pick
The Heat are sitting at 12-10, fighting to stay relevant in the East, and the pressure is on to keep Jimmy Butler happy. Butler’s still the face of the team, averaging 19.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, but rumors are swirling that the front office is listening to offers for him. His agent reportedly made it clear that if a trade happens, Butler’s cool with landing in Houston, Dallas, or Golden State. That’s a problem if the Heat can’t show they’re serious about building a contender around him.
Adding Jerami Grant might just be the answer. Grant’s a perfect fit next to Bam Adebayo—his shooting from deep spaces the floor, making life easier for everyone, and defensively, he can guard multiple positions. The Heat love versatility, and Grant would instantly give them a more balanced lineup. Plus, it’s the type of move that shows Butler they’re still committed to winning.
The trade package to get him? Duncan Robinson, who’s finding his form again as a shooter, Haywood Highsmith and Josh Richardson for defensive depth, Thomas Bryant for size, and a 2029 first-round pick to sweeten the deal. For the Blazers, it’s a solid mix of win-now role players and future assets, a decent haul for a team looking to reset around Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.
For the Heat, it’s a no-brainer if they want to keep Butler bought in. A core of Jimmy, Bam, Rozier, Tyler Herro, and Grant isn’t just good—it’s scary. This move doesn’t just make the Heat better now; it could be the difference between Butler staying for the long haul or packing his bags next summer. If the Heat are serious about contending, this is the kind of swing they need to take.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
Potential Trade Offer For Grant: Julius Randle, 2025 Second-Round Pick (via DEN/PHI), 2025 Second-Round Pick (via UTA), 2029 Second-Round Pick
The Timberwolves are trying to stay afloat at 12-11, but things just aren’t clicking the way they hoped. After sending Karl-Anthony Towns to New York and bringing in Julius Randle, it looked like they might have found a strong frontcourt duo with Randle and Rudy Gobert. Fast forward to now, and the fit’s been messy, to say the least. Randle’s putting up 20.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, but his defensive effort has been questionable, and the chemistry with Gobert is nonexistent. It’s clunky, and everyone knows it.
On the flip side, Jerami Grant would solve a lot of those issues. He’s a better defensive fit alongside Gobert, with the ability to guard multiple positions and space the floor offensively. Adding Grant would give the Wolves more balance on both ends of the court, and it might make life a little easier for Anthony Edwards, who’s been frustrated with how things are going.
For the Blazers, this deal isn’t flashy, but it makes sense if no better offers come along. Randle’s an expiring deal after the season, which means he could be flipped for assets at next year’s deadline. Plus, the Blazers get three second-round picks in the deal: one in 2025 via Denver or Philly, another 2025 pick via Utah, and one in 2029. Those picks might not be first-rounders, but they add flexibility for trades or rebuilding around Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.
At the end of the day, this trade works because both teams get something they need. The Wolves get a cleaner roster fit with Grant, and the Blazers get some draft capital and an expiring deal they can move later. It’s not a blockbuster, but it’s one of those deals that could quietly benefit both sides.
5. Sacramento Kings
Potential Trade Offer For Grant: Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter
The Kings are stuck in a weird spot this season. They’re 12-13, sitting 12th in the West, and for a team with so much talent, that’s not cutting it. This is the first year with DeMar DeRozan in Sacramento, and while he’s doing his thing offensively, the team’s defense is still a major problem. With De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and DeRozan, they’ve got plenty of scoring, but when it comes to stopping other teams? It’s been rough.
DeRozan’s debut season has been solid—he’s averaging 22.9 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.2 rebounds—and Fox is still doing Fox things (he even dropped 60 in an OT loss to the Wolves earlier this year). Sabonis is a double-double machine as always. The offense isn’t the problem, but this team desperately needs someone who can lock down defensively and give them a more balanced lineup.
That’s where Jerami Grant comes in. Grant would be a perfect fit for this squad. He’s versatile, can guard multiple positions, and his three-point shooting would open up the floor for Fox and DeRozan to go to work. On defense, he’d give the Kings the type of stopper they’ve been missing, especially against the elite wings in the West. Adding Grant makes the Kings a much tougher matchup and pushes them closer to being a legit playoff threat.
The trade would send Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter to the Blazers. Murray, in his third year, has been solid with 12.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, and he’s got serious upside. Huerter’s been a nice shooter for them, but let’s be real—Grant’s impact on both ends of the floor is on another level.
For the Blazers, Keegan is the real gem in this deal. He’s young, skilled, and fits perfectly with their rebuild. Huerter gives them some shooting to keep things competitive, and they move off Grant’s big contract while setting themselves up for the future.
This deal just makes sense. The Kings get the defensive wing they’ve been desperate for and finally balance out their roster. The Blazers get a young, talented forward who fits their timeline. It’s a win-win, and for Sacramento, it’s the kind of move that might finally get them back into serious playoff contention.
