The Portland Trail Blazers don’t want D’Angelo Russell in any potential trade with the Lakers for Jerami Grant. According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha on his ‘Buha’s Block’ podcast, the Blazers would avoid Russell in a deal as they have too many guards, and it doesn’t make sense for them to give up a forward for yet another guard.
“I’ve heard Portland doesn’t want D-Lo because they have a million guards anyway. So, it just doesn’t really make sense for them. So, if you’re keeping D-Lo out and of course, the Lakers would rather keep D-Lo out in this configuration – I think one first makes the most sense.”
This actually makes a lot of sense from the Trail Blazers end. Russell is on an expiring contract, but from a position standpoint, any deal with the Lakers that involves Russell will force them to make another deal to replace Grant as a forward on their team.
Russell is making a little over $18 million next season and is on an expiring contract. As for Grant, he is signed on till 2027 and has a player option that could extend the deal till 2028. He makes almost $30 million next season, with his salary increasing as each season goes on.
It’s hard to see the Lakers match Grant’s salary in a trade without Russell. Russell is one of the highest earners on the roster not named LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and taking away a key tradeable asset off the table makes any potential deal for Grant incredibly complicated from the Lakers’ end.
On top of that, the Trail Blazers want two first-round picks, something the Lakers have been gunshy about handing away in deals for a few years. Ever since the Russell Westbrook trade failed, GM Rob Pelinka has been very choosy about deals in order to safeguard the Lakers’ future.
Would Jerami Grant Be The Lakers’ Third Option?
Jerami Grant has shown that he can be a solid first option on a losing team. But how will he fare with the ball out of his hands and playing the third option behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis? There’s no doubt that his scoring numbers would reduce significantly.
Last season on the Trail Blazers, Grant averaged 21.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists. If he can regularly average at least 14-15 points per game on the Lakers behind LeBron and AD, perhaps as the leader of the second unit, he could prove to be a valuable piece for them, as they look to return as contenders.
On top of that, Grant is a good wing defender and can be trusted to guard the players that LeBron James and Anthony Davis can’t or don’t want to, based on head coach JJ Redick’s discretion.
Grant could become a key piece for the Lakers, should they be able to complete a trade for him. But considering the steep asking price and the conditions the Blazers are putting on a potential deal, it appears unlikely that Grant will adorn the purple and gold anytime next season.
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