Attracting talent is easier for some NBA teams than it is for others. Often, market size plays a role. Whether it’s fair or not, there are some NBA teams that the league’s best players are simply less likely to join voluntarily.
The Indiana Pacers are one of those teams. We’re not saying that nobody will play for them. Some players are indifferent to market size, and the Pacers are generally a well-respected organization.
Still, we can’t deny that their market size can be a disadvantage at times. The same holds for the Portland Trail Blazers. Still, it’s possible to build a competitive team in a small market. The Blazers did it for a long time, and the Pacers are doing it now.
Could they acquire Jerami Grant from the Blazers?
NBA Trade Proposal: Indiana Pacers Land Portland Trail Blazers’ Jerami Grant
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G/F Buddy Hield, F Obi Toppin
Indiana Pacers Receive: F Jerami Grant
What helps a small market team succeed? Well, several factors come into play. Still, loyalty from a star player may be the biggest one.
If a small market team has a buy-in from an elite player, suddenly, their market size matters a lot less. For a long time, the Blazers illustrated as much. Damian Lillard was loyal to Portland for almost a decade.
As a result, they stayed competitive for a long time. Eventually, Lillard’s loyalty expired. Now, he’s on the small market Milwaukee Bucks.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers Updates
The Pacers are hoping that Tyrese Haliburton can be their Lillard – in a sense. They hope to have more success. Ideally, the Pacers will hope to win an NBA title behind Haliburton.
Does this deal help them get there?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
Remember what we said – it can be difficult for small market teams to attract talent. Sometimes, that means trading for a player on a questionable contract.
Yes, adding Grant will make Indiana’s books more difficult to manage. It will also make them a better team. After all, he provides a lot of what this team is missing.
Grant is a multi-positional defender who should thrive alongside a rim protector like Myles Turner. Moreover, he’s no slouch on the offensive end, either.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers Updates
Grant is having a career-best shooting season. He can also create his own shot at times. If he maintains his current three-point percentage, he’ll replace Hield functionally while being an upgrade in terms of pure talent.
Should the Blazers help them make that upgrade?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
Some Blazers fans won’t like this proposal. Given how well Grant is playing, they’ll think they deserve a better return. Unfortunately, Grant’s long-term, expensive contract could make him difficult to move.
So, landing a young player like Toppin is a blessing. Toppin isn’t all that young – he may not have much more room to develop. Still, he’s a wing who’s closer to their timeline than Grant, and he’s on a much more affordable deal.
In fact, managing their money is a key component of this deal for the Blazers. Hield is on an expiring deal – the Blazers would let him walk next summer.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers Updates
As they continue rebuilding, they’ll hope that Scoot Henderson turns into a superstar – and is comfortable in a smaller market as well.
