Trail Blazers News: Jerami Grant Seen As Top Summer Trade Target

Somewhat astoundingly, the Portland Trail Blazers signed veteran combo forward Jerami Grant to a massive five-year, $160 million contract extension this offseason. Even in a vacuum, this deal, which pays the 30-year-old a generous $32 million annually, reeks as a bit of an overpay through 2027-28. But for him to agree to such a lucrative contract when it seemed quite possible that All-Star point guard Damian Lillard was going to demand a trade, which he subsequently did fairly late into the offseason.

Now, on the other side of the season, Bailey Bassett of ClutchPoints believes that Grant's deal is, astoundingly, pretty tradable. Bassett ranks the 6'7" pro's deal as the fourth-most appetizing veteran trade candidate on the market this year.

"Like the Raptors, the Trail Blazers are rebuilding, and trading veterans while adding to their young core would make sense," Bassett writes. "Jerami Grant could be a highly sought-after trade piece because of his versatility. The forward has experience as a role player and as the top dog, meaning he could fit on a number of different rosters around the league."

"Grant started his career as a defensive-minded athlete, but he has improved his offense every season," Bassett continues. "The Syracuse product averaged over 20 points per game on over 40% shooting from deep in each of the last two seasons in Portland, but he can take a back seat on a contender, as he did during his time with the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder."

In the 54 contests he did play for the tanking Blazers this year, Grant averaged 21 points on .451/.402/.817 shooting splits, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks per bout.