5 Players Blazers could swap Jerami Grant for to keep tanking hopes alive

Option No. 4: Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers

Harris is admittedly a good enough player to make tanking difficult in Portland. But he has a massive expiring contract and the Blazers proved last season they have no qualms shamelessly taking winning players off the court at the end of the year if it can help their draft position.

On the court, Harris is almost a like-for-like replacement for Grant and would easily fill his spot in the starting lineup. More than anything, though, the Tennessee product is owed $39.2 million in the final year of his deal. Having a chunk of money like that come off the books would be a huge boon for the Blazers’ rebuild.

From a Sixers perspective, Grant could be a long-term version of Harris willing to play second fiddle to Joel Embiid, who Philadelphia needs to keep happy by winning. Jerami’s defense and floor spacing are superior to those of Harris.

Additionally, the uncertainty of the James Harden situation is creating major problems in Philly. The Beard is likely to be traded at some point, which A) would open up cap space to fit Grant in and B) would keep a proven veteran next to Embiid.

A core of Joel, Grant and Tyrese Maxey in a bigger role should be enough to help the 76ers remain one of the better teams in the East.