It’s been said that fortune favors the brave. If you’re not willing to take the plunge, you’re not going to find out what lies beneath. This is true in the NBA as well.
Teams need to be willing to take risks. That’s not to say that they should be reckless. This is a balance that general managers need to find. A couple of years ago, the Sacramento Kings made a bold, brave decision. Some thought it was reckless. The Kings traded Tyrese Haliburton for Domantas Sabonis.
Haliburton looks like a superstar. This trade will be the subject of debate for years to come. One thing is undebatable: the trade made the Kings better. The team broke their NBA-record 16-year playoff drought. Could the Kings get brave again by trading for Jerami Grant of the Portland Trail Blazers?
The Trade Proposal
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F Harrison Barnes,, F/C Trey Lyles, G/F Chris Duarte, 2026 First-Round Pick (SAC)
Sacramento Kings Receive: F Jerami Grant
Should the Blazers have been braver in recent years? Have they been too conservative in their team building? We’re not sure. Still, something motivated Damian Lillard to request a trade.
In fairness, Portland did have an opportunity to make a bold decision this summer. The third overall pick in the NBA Draft surely had tremendous trade value. When Brandon Miller’s name was called second, that held even truer. One would assume that a team would have forked over a star player for the opportunity to draft Scoot Henderson.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers & Sacramento Kings Updates
At the same time, perhaps the Blazers were brave to simply select Henderson. Either way, that’s their new franchise player. Lillard wants out. Assuming that Portland trades him, we can assume that they’ll look to move Grant throughout the year. Is this a good return for him?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
In all likelihood, the Blazers signed Grant to complement Lillard. That was a win-now move. With that said, the Blazers aren’t a win-now team anymore. They can’t trade Grant having just extended him, but they should absolutely trade him before this year’s deadline.
What should the Blazers be looking for? Young players and first-round picks. This deal checks both boxes. Duarte is a solid movement shooter who’s young enough to be part of a rebuild. Still, he’s not the headline of this deal from Portland’s perspective.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers & Sacramento Kings Updates
That would be an unprotected first-rounder. That’s likely to be market value for Grant – it’s what the Detroit Pistons received when they traded him. If the Blazers are going to rebuild, they need draft capital above all else. Should the Kings give up draft capital for Grant?
Why The Sacramento Kings Do The Deal
Last year, the Kings broke their historic playoff drought. This was an accomplishment. Next year, it won’t; suffice. The Kings need to win a playoff series to call the 2023-24 season a successful one.
What do the Kings need? Well, they certainly don’t need any more playmaking. Between Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox, they’re good in that area. On the other hand, they could stand to upgrade Barnes. He’s a good fit for this roster as a 3-and-D wing who can create his own shot. The Kings just need a better 3-and-D wing who can create his own shot.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers & Sacramento Kings Updates
That’s Grant. His ability to guard across positions will offset Sabonis’ limitations on that end of the floor. Offensively, he’ll space the floor and attack closeouts. Grant will benefit from the gravity of Fox and Sabonis. He’s a perfect fit – the Kings just need to be brave enough to acquire him.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
