The Jerami Grant Dilemma: Why Trading Portland’s $160 Million Player is Key to Blazers' Star Search

The Portland Trail Blazers are going to be an intriguing team to watch during the offseason as they try to go from the middle of the pack in the Western Conference towards the tier of being a sure-fire playoff hopeful.

The Blazers should expect to make some changes this offseason, since the roster they have now is good but not strong enough to compete for a championship quite yet.

This could signal a major change for the Blazers, as Damian Lillard is expected to return to the court next season and be the team's starting point guard. Him and Deni Avdija can form a strong pairing, but they will likely need a third solidified star to help them out. Jerami Grant is the player on the team making the most money, but he might not be the type of player that can take the Blazers from good to great.

Trading Grant to help acquire a star will be what the Blazers need in order to get them to the next step of their total rebuild. He is averaging 18.6 points per game, but he doesn't offer much outside of his shooting and scoring. The Blazers should look to trade him in order to bring in a more well-rounded player.

Why Grant’s Role No Longer Fits the Blazers’ New Timeline

Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant dribbles the ball while defends Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Slawson. | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

On top of the Blazers possibly looking to trade Grant, the team could save some money given his hefty contract.

"Jerami Grant is quietly having a nice season for the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 18.6 points and shooting 38.9 percent from three while splitting his time between starter and reserve," Bleacher Report contributor Greg Swartz wrote.

"The return of Damian Lillard next year is only going to take up another starting spot, however, leaving Grant, Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson to compete for the three spots between the franchise legend and center Donovan Clingan.

"Grant is going to become an expensive full-time reserve, as he's owed $34.2 million next season with a $36.4 million player option in 2027-28. Portland should see if they can get some future financial relief and draft equity for Grant this summer."

There's a good chance the Blazers can build a starting five without Grant for next season; however, it limits the amount of growth the team will be able to have. The Blazers should use Grant as the primary driver to help match salaries in a consolidation trade that gets the Blazers a true star that can help take the team to the next level.

Teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics could make sense as trade destinations for Grant given their need to add some shooting help in the frontcourt.