Trail Blazers To Put Yet Another Star On Trade Block

The Portland Trail Blazers have been the team to watch on the NBA trade circuit this month, and that will continue into the season. Not only because of newly-acquired Jrue Holiday being on the block, but according to sources, they'll also be looking to deal their big offseason re-signing, forward Jerami Grant.

Jerami Grant is expected to be available for trade, per @MikeAScotto

“Jerami Grant, who becomes trade-eligible on January 15, is expected to become available before the trade deadline, according to rival league NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype following the Lillard… pic.twitter.com/7Dba02lqOW

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 28, 2023

When the Blazers signed Grant to a 5-year, $160M contract early in the summer, it was with the intention of keeping him paired with Damian Lillard. That, of course, has fallen by the wayside as Lillard now resides in Milwaukee. 

So it's natural that the Blazers, now focused on rebuilding with young pieces, have no use for that massive long-term deal with the 29-year-old Grant, and will be moving him when league rules deem him eligible. 

Jerami Grant, who becomes trade-eligible on January 15, is expected to become available before the trade deadline, according to rival league NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype following the Lillard trade.

Insider Michael Scotto quotes an NBA scout as saying that “Grant could be the missing piece for a contending team the way Denver got Bruce Brown and Aaron Gordon... Maybe a team like Miami could take a swing if they’re still a player away.”

Blazers GM Joe Cronin has been the busiest man in NBA front offices this summer, and it appears that that will continue on for quite a while yet. 

Photo: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports