5 Moves Blazers should make after trading Damian Lillard

2. Trade Jerami Grant

The Blazers gave Grant a massive five-year $160 million contract this summer in hopes of keeping Damian Lillard happy in Portland. It did not work, and Lillard requested a trade before the Grant put pen to paper. The Trail Blazers could not go back on their word, so they signed Grant anyway.

The 29-year-old has proven content being one of the best players on a rebuilding roster. He signed with the Pistons in 2020 and took his game to new heights. Over the last three years, the 6’8 forward has averaged 20.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 block in 34.0 minutes per game and has not appeared in the postseason. Portland has Kris Murray at the four, but he is not ready to play significant minutes.

Moving off Grant’s massive contract won’t be easy, but the combo forward can play multiple different roles and help a contender. He is set to make $27.5 million this season, which is an affordable deal if teams are looking to match salary in a trade.

Can the Portland Trail Blazers create a market for Jerami Grant where they receive draft capital and unwanted salary in return? It is easier said than done, but the talented forward is too versatile to not fetch a return on the trade market. He cannot be moved until Jan. 15, but do not be surprised to see Grant gone before the deadline.