Superstar point guard Damian Lillard wants the Portland Trail Blazers to re-sign small forward Jerami Grant and sign power forward Draymond Green once free agency starts on June 30, according to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Both Grant and Green become unrestricted free agents on June 30.
The Blazers are widely expected to re-sign Grant, while Green is anticipated to stay with the Golden State Warriors. Portland, though, could offer Green a huge contract that could sway his decision to stay with the Warriors.
“So, what would it take to convince Lillard that Portland is still the place to be for the rest of his NBA days? Here’s one solution that is known to be a dream scenario from Lillard’s vantage point: Re-sign forward Jerami Grant and add four-time All-Star/four-time champion Draymond Green in free agency,” Amick wrote. “While Golden State is known to be extremely confident about Green re-signing, the price of his return is likely to be a point of contention.”
Grant finished the 2022-23 season with averages of 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the Blazers. He shot 47.5% from the field, 40.1% from beyond the arc and 81.3% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Draymond Green & Golden State Warriors Updates
The Blazers won only 33 games this past season. The team was 23-27 when Lillard and Grant were in the lineup. Lillard averaged 32.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists alongside Grant, while Grant put up 19.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game next to Lillard.
While the Blazers have Grant’s Bird rights and can thus re-sign him even though they are over the salary cap, they currently do not have room for anyone of Green’s caliber. In light of the fact that he’s likely seeking a deal in the mid-$20 million range per year.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Draymond Green & Golden State Warriors Updates
The possibility of sign-and-trade paths exists, with a third team likely involved, but it’s improbable. In addition, all indications suggest that Green would like to remain where he is.
Green has won four titles with the Warriors. Most people around the NBA believe the four-time All-Star will re-sign with Golden State on a three-year deal so his contract lines with two-time MVP Stephen Curry’s.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
