Fans will always have opinions about NBA contracts. Why shouldn’t they? Fans have a vested interest in their team’s salary sheet.
If a player is taking up a large chunk of it, they’re entitled to a viewpoint on that issue. Still, contracts need to be viewed in context. A player may be overpaid, but a front office may have a good reason to overpay them.
For example, a small market team may overpay a good player if they already have a franchise player. If that franchise player forces his way out of town, suddenly, that contract should be viewed differently.
Take Jerami Grant of the Portland Trail Blazers. He was signed to compliment Damian Lillard, and Lillard left. Now, his contract looks bad on their salary sheet.
Could the Los Angeles Lakers make a move for him?
NBA Trade Proposal: Los Angeles Lakers Land Portland Trail Blazers’ Jerami Grant
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F Rui Hachimura, G Gabe Vincent
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Jerami Grant
With that said, some players are invaluable. Whatever they’re being paid, they deserve more. Their value to their franchise can’t properly be represented by mere numbers.
LeBron James is one of those players. He always has been. If players were paid according to their actual value to a franchise, he’d be a billionaire. Meanwhile, his team’s salary cap would be sunk.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Luckily for the Lakers, there’s a limit to what teams can pay players. Still, a player like James has expectations in light of those salary limitations.
The Lakers need to put a winning product around him. Should they start by acquiring Grant?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do the Deal
Grant is on a long-term contract, and it isn’t cheap. This is not a dream acquisition for any team. If the Lakers make this deal, they’ll have to work around Grant’s contract – in all likelihood, until after James retires.
At the same time, that’s why he’s available at this price. The Lakers should be able to pry Grant from the Blazers without giving up a first-round pick.
Given how light they are on draft capital, that ought to appeal to this organization. Meanwhile, Grant is a fantastic player. He can guard multiple positions and create his own shot.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
By adding him to a frontcourt featuring James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers should have one of the best defenses in the NBA.
Should the Blazers give him up?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
For the Blazers, this is simple. They’re flipping Grant for Hachimura. This team is light on young wings, and Hachimura would be a logical addition from that point of view.
Although, the Blazers may wish that he was younger. Hachimura has likely reached his final form. That’s fine. He’s still a hardworking defensive wing who can regularly hit midrange shots.
Hachimura may not improve, but he should be this player for another half decade or more. That ought to suit the Blazers.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
This small market team doesn’t like to lose for long – the Blazers might like to get back to the playoffs soon. They may want to shed Grant’s contract, but they may also want a productive player in return.
