At the moment, it’s difficult to write about the NBA without writing about Damian Lillard. His recent move from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Milwaukee Bucks dominates the discourse. Partly, that’s because there is unfinished business due to that deal.
After all, the Blazers only acquired Jrue Holiday in a bid to immediately move him. This is a significant factor in the NBA’s landscape. Contenders are likely lining up around the block to make their best offer for Holiday. With that said, he’s not the only useful veteran on this Portland roster who’s expected to get moved this season.
Jerami Grant is likely to find a new home as well. The Blazers can’t trade him now – having just extended him, he’s subject to trade restrictions. Still, leading up to this year’s deadline, it feels likely that Grant will land on a different team. Could that team be the Los Angeles Lakers?
The Trade Proposal
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F Rui Hachiimura, G Gabe Vincent
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Jerami Grant
The Lillard trade has already altered the landscape. It’s only going to continue to do so. With the season steadily approaching, everyone is excited to see how the standings shape up.
The Bucks are likely to skyrocket. Sure, losing Holiday will hurt their perimeter defense. If you didn’t notice, they added Damian Lillard. His inside/outside dynamic with Giannis Antetokoumnpo ought to be unguardable. Meanwhile, whoever acquires Holiday will likely become a more significant player in the league’s title picture.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Where do the Lakers lie? That remains to be seen. Still, they’re expected to contend for the title. As a general rule, title contenders don’t like watching other title contenders improve. Do the Lakers now need to improve?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
That also remains to be seen. This deal has the Lakers getting older. It’s also got them absorbing a large, long-term contract. If they look like serious contenders heading into the deadline, they should pass on this deal. What if they don’t?
Well, Grant is certainly an upgrade over Hachimura. He’d have to take a massive leap forward to get on Grant’s level. After all, he’s a multi-positional defender who spaces the floor and can create his own shot. Grant is precisely the type of player who you can add to any contender, and he’ll make them better.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
He feels like an especially strong fit for the Lakers. Pairing him with Anthony Davis could make for a lethal defensive dynamic. Meanwhile, Grant will be a solid third option in this offense, and with so many weapons at his disposal, D’Angelo Russell’s playmaking ought to be enhanced. Should the Blazers set up a conference rival to contend?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
The Blazers don’t necessarily have to move Grant. This team has a lot of young talent. They don’t have to mine the lottery for talent as badly as a team that’s just beginning a rebuild. Frankly, Portland has been getting a head start on their rebuild for years.
At the same time – it wouldn’t kill the Blazers to mine the lottery for some more talent. There are questions surrounding this team. Can Shaedon Sharpe man the three on a full-time basis? If not, do the Blazers need to trade Anfernee Simons? With so much uncertainty surrounding their future, they should probably focus on accumulating young players who complement their core.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
That’s why they’re netting Hachimura here. He’s an athletic two-way wing who fills a position of long-term need. As for Vincent, Portland would likely look to move him next summer. Just don’t expect that to generate as many headlines as this summer’s Lillard saga.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
