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Grading the Portland Trail Blazers’ 2022 offseason transactions

By Dave Nelson

Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers, Jerami Grant
Jerami Grant Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

Portland trades for Jerami Grant

The signing of Jerami Grant was a big move and a win for the Blazers — especially since all they gave up were the 36th pick in the draft, a 2025 first round pick via Milwaukee (we all know that very likely will be a lower pick), and future second round picks. Portland has needed a decent power forward for quite some time, especially with the disappointment of Robert Covington and, to an extent, Larry Nance Jr.

The trade for Grant could be considered a steal itself, especially for a player who averaged 19.2 points and 4.1 rebounds this past season. Plus, he is a player Damian Lillard really wanted to play with. The trade for Grant, who was born in Portland and is the son of former Blazer Harvey, is given an A+.

Portland resigns shooting guard Anfernee Simons

You kind of saw this coming, especially since they traded CJ McCollum, who was pretty much Lillard’s backcourt mate and buddy for nine seasons. He’s now replaced with Anfernee Simons, who, for the most part, had yet to have a decent season. He averaged no more than 8.3 points prior to the 2021-22 season and hadn’t played in more than 70 games in a season.

Resigning him at four years and $100 million is given a B at this point. Is Simons ready to be a full time starter? Is he worth what he was given? Hopefully, he improves from his 17.3 points in 57 game this past season. If the Blazers want to have a decent season, they will have to depend on Simons having a career year again.

Resigning of center Jusuf Nurkić

I, for one, am very happy Jusuf Nurkić and the Blazers came to a four year, $70 million contract. Nurk may have had some injuries over the years, but he has and will continue to play an important role with the Blazers and is a key piece to their future. Last season, his 15.0 points and 11.1 rebounds were incredible numbers by him, and I’m looking forward to seeing him build more so off those numbers. With that, his re-signing is given an A.

Who would replace Nurkić if both parties weren’t in agreement? Please don’t tell me Deandre Ayton who, was mentioned, as he is a big NO, NO, NO in many ways, and that does not need to be explained.