NBA fans tend to look at contracts in a very rigid way. What is the annual value? OK, thanks. That alone will determine the quality of the contract. In reality, contracts are a little more complicated than that.
Is a player on your team overpaid? That’s not a major concern – as long the deal isn’t huge. A player making max money and not delivering maximum production can be very problematic for a team.
On the other hand, a player on a mid-level deal can have value as a trade chip whether they’re earning their contract or not.
If that player’s contract is expiring, that’s even more valuable. For example, take Evan Fournier of the New York Knicks. If the Knicks want to move him this year, they shouldn’t have an issue.
Could they include him in a package for Jerami Grant of the Portland Trail Blazers?
NBA Trade Proposal — New York Knicks Land Jerami Grant
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, C Isaiah Hartenstein, 2026 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: F Jerami Grant
Meanwhile, fans should adjust their perception of contracts. The cap is spiking. A ten million dollar per season deal is not what it used to be. There was a time when that was a tremendous strain on a team’s salary sheet. Now, a deal like that is a non-issue.
Moreover, it isn’t only the cap that’s changing. The league’s market is undergoing broader changes. In this era of player empowerment, stars demand trades regularly.
This has changed the value of mid-level deals as well. Often, teams need several of them to cobble together – along with draft picks – if they’re going to trade for a star.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks Updates
Nobody needs to tell the Blazers. They just traded Damian Lillard. As a result, they’ve got Malcolm Brogdon on their books. On the other hand, Portland signed Grant themselves under the pretense of pairing him with Lillard.
Is this a fair return for him?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
Contract values may be changing. Still, Grant’s deal is a little bit frightening. Every team won’t be willing to take it on. The Blazers may not get the type of offers that they’d like for him.
With that in mind, a lottery protected first is a good asset. The Knicks will be aiming to be competitive for some time – this pick should convey. In the end, the rebuilding Blazers should be happy to land assets at market value. That’s what they’re doing here.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks Updates
They’re also taking on Isaiah Hartenstein. He may not be the most suitable player for this team – they’ve already got Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III. That’s fine. Hartenstein is on an expiring contract himself.
Should the Knicks part with him?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
Cap enthusiasts won’t love this deal. The Knicks are sending out two expiring deals only to take back an albatross. We know. That’s not ideal. It also doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth their time.
After all, Grant is a good player. He’s a versatile defensive forward who can space the floor and create his own shot. This deal should make the Knicks a substantially better team. It comes at the expense of an asset, but if they think Grant is their missing piece, it’s an asset worth parting with.
It’s worth noting that RJ Barrett has remained unreliable for the Knicks. This doesn’t mean that they have to move him – but it does give them options.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks Updates
Finally, if it doesn’t work out with Grant, it shouldn’t be too difficult to move him in a couple of years. With the cap spiking, his deal needs to age a couple of years.
