Take NBA rumors with a grain of salt. Yes, they can be true. They can also be false. Sometimes, rumors make their way around without any truth in them.
For example, it’s recently been rumored that the Portland Trail Blazers have no interest in moving Jerami Grant. It’s been said that they like Grant’s role and production with their young squad.
It’s possible! It may be that the Blazers would like to get back to the postseason soon and think Grant could help them get there.
It’s also possible that they’d rather negotiate from a position of strength. The Blazers could be putting the word out that they’re not desperate to move Grant. As a rebuilding team, they’d do well to trade him.
Could they send him to the Atlanta Hawks?
NBA Trade Proposal: Atlanta Hawks Land Portland Trail Blazers’ Jerami Grant
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: C Clint Capela, G/F AJ Griffin
Atlanta Hawks Receive: F Jerami Grant
There are competing philosophies about what the Blazers should do here. Some will say that they’ve got no need to move Grant.
The Blazers are a small market team – players like Grant don’t come around every day. They should hang onto him. Sure. On the other hand, Grant is getting in the way of any young wing Portland might acquire.
At the moment, they’re light on such players. That’s part of the problem. Portland needs a player like Grant who’s on the same timeline as Scoot Henderson.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks Updates
Can this organization stomach years of losing? It could pay off in the long run. With that said, it’s a risk – if it doesn’t pay off, they’ll have wasted time.
Should they move Grant?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
Yes. Let’s be realistic – the Blazers only extended Grant because they hoped to keep Damian Lillard. Lillard requested a trade anyway. Now, they’re left with the bill for Grant. He’s on a long-term deal.
By contrast, Capela is on an expiring deal. That’s part of the appeal for Portland there. Still, they’re doing this deal to bring Griffin in above all else.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks Updates
In time, he could be one of the best shooters in the NBA. Griffin has flashed solid defensive potential as well. This is exactly the type of young player that Portland ought to covet.
Should the Hawks say goodbye to him?
Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal
The Hawks seem to be phasing Griffin out already. His minutes have reduced from his rookie to sophomore year. If the Hawks don’t see him as a core player, they should use him as trade bait.
They’re also phasing Capela out. That makes sense. Onyeka Onkongwu looks like a potential cornerstone. He’s the future center of this Hawks team. It’s time for the Hawks to usher the future into the present.
So, why not flip Capela for a versatile, shot-creating defensive wing like Grant? Sure, their wing rotation will be crowded – that’s a good thing.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks Updates
Between Grant, Deandre Hunter, and Jalen Johnson, the Hawks will have one or two good defensive wings on the floor at all times. Now, it’s just a matter of whether there’s any truth in those rumors about Grant.
