The Portland Trail Blazers have been the center of the NBA’s universe this summer. We all waited for them to trade Damian Lillard. It finally happened. Then, we all briefly waited for them to trade Jrue Holiday. That happened, too. What’s next for the Blazers?
It’s hard to say. In the flurry of moves that Portland recently made, they landed some players that they may move down the road. We’re thinking of Robert Williams III and Malcolm Brogdon. They could both fetch good returns for the Blazers. With that said, they had a player on their roster who was a trade candidate even before they moved Lillard.
We’re talking about Jerami Grant. When the Blazers extended him, it seemed likely that they wanted to pair him with Damian Lillard. Now that Lillard is gone don’t be surprised if Portland looks to move Grant when his trade restrictions lift. Could they send him to the Dallas Mavericks?
The Trade Proposal
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G/F Tim Hardaway Jr., C Richaun Holmes, 2027 First-Round Pick (DAL)
Dallas Mavericks Receive: F Jerami Grant
By contrast, the Mavericks had a quiet summer. That happened to be exactly what they wanted. This team didn’t need to break the bank. All Dallas had to do was retain one superstar.
They did it. The Mavericks retained Kyrie Irving. This was not a foregone conclusion. Dallas took a large risk when they acquired Irving at last year’s deadline. He is a notoriously volatile superstar. With a contract negotiation pending, nobody would have been shocked to see Irving migrate to another team this summer.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers & Dallas Mavericks Updates
So, the Mavericks accomplished their most important mission. That doesn’t mean that their work is done. Dallas needs to put a better group around their star duo of Irving and Luka Doncic. Would Grant be the right addition?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do The Deal
The Mavericks have a lot of priorities. They need better defenders and more floor spacing. They also need a third option behind Doncic and Irving. What if they could land all of those things in one player?
That’s the type of utility player that Grant is. He can guard multiple positions and space the floor. Grant is also a capable enough shot creator. Nobody is building an NBA offense around him, but as a third option, he ought to shine. This feels like a perfect addition to this team’s roster.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers & Dallas Mavericks Updates
That’s not to say there aren’t any risks here. There are. The Mavericks are giving up an unprotected first-round pick for a player on a big, long-term contract. That’s fine. Dallas needs to be maximizing their title window over the next few seasons. Grant would help them accomplish that goal. Should the Blazers move Grant?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
The Blazers have to move Grant if they can find a suitor. It may not be easy. As talented as Grant is, that contract will scare off some suitors. Portland needs to find a win-now team with an obvious need for Grant to make something happen.
That’s what they’re doing here. Grant should be worth a first-round pick to Dallas, and Dallas should want Grant enough to part with a first-round pick. This feels like a perfect arrangement. At least – it’s almost perfect.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Yet again, the Blazers are taking on veterans. That’s fine. Hardaway Jr. and Holmes are on smaller deals than the other veterans that the Blazers have brought in and should be easily moved down the road. In other words, we may be talking about the Blazers for another while.
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