At some time, we’ve all had buyer’s remorse. You saw a T-shirt on the internet. It was a bit expensive, but it looked perfect. When it shows up at your doorstep, it doesn’t fit. NBA teams get buyer’s remorse too.
Sometimes, they sign a player with an idea in mind. Then, something happens to render that idea moot. Just look at the Portland Trail Blazers. They gave Jerami Grant a massive contract this summer.
Presumably, they thought he’d play with Damian Lillard. Now, Lillard wants a trade. Could the Blazers send him to the Los Angeles Lakers before this year’s trade deadline after he’s eligible to be moved ?
The Trade Proposal
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F Rui Hachimura, F Taurean Prince, F/C Jarrett Vanderbilt, 2029 First-Round Pick (Swap – LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Jerami Grant
In some ways, the Blazers must have been surprised by Lillard’s trade request. In another way, they should have been preparing for it. After all, we’ve been speculating about the possibility for a long time. In fact, it’s been so long that it was starting to feel like it would never happen.
It did. Lillard wants a trade. We shouldn’t criticize him. In fact, Lillard held out on making his request for a long time. In fact, he’s been the face of loyalty around the NBA.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
By contrast, LeBron James has been the face of player empowerment. He changed teams several times before winding up with the Los Angeles Lakers. Could Grant help him win another ring with them?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
Absolutely. Grant is the best player in this deal. Assuming, that is, that Hachimura doesn’t take a leap this season. If he does, the Lakers might want to hold off on this deal. They’d do better to hang onto their assets.
Let’s assume that Grant is still comfortably ahead of Hachimura by this year’s deadline. The Lakers shouldn’t spare any expenses in improving their team. If James still looks like a star, they’ll be back in the title mix.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Adding Grant could get them over the hump. He’s a versatile defender who spaces the floor – that’s a perfect player to pair with James. Should the Blazers give him up?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
Absolutely. The Blazers must be hoping they’d never signed Grant in the first place. That’s not a knock on Grant. He’s fantastic. He’s also expensive, and too old to be a critical part of a rebuild.
By contrast, Hachimura is young enough to be part of a rebuild. In this year’s playoffs, he flashed his potential. Hachimura’s combination of size and shot creation could give him a bright future in this league.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Meanwhile, Vanderbilt is also young and a fantastic defender. Throw in a future pick swap, and guess what? The Blazers may not have to regret signing Grant after all.
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