Some fans probably questioned the Portland Trail Blazers' trade-deadline decision to hold onto Jerami Grant. However, the recent weeks have proven why it turned out to be a wise move, especially given that he has been one of the league's most efficient 3-point shooters since the All-Star Break.
Per Stat Defender, Grant's 43.6 percent shooting from beyond the arc ranks ninth among the players who have attempted at least 50 from that range during the said stretch.
His marksmanship has been much-needed because of how lacking the team has been in an area that it has apparently put a lot of emphasis on this season. To wit, it is averaging 42.3 3-point field-goal attempts, the fourth-most in the league, and accounting for 46.8 percent of its total field goals. However, it has connected on just 33.8 percent of those shots. Only the Sacramento Kings have been worse in that department.
Jerami Grant's value to the Blazers
There have been some calls for Portland to just look toward the offseason and come back much stronger next season, especially since it will send its first-round pick to the Chicago Bulls if it makes the playoffs. However, the squad looks intent on making a playoff push, although the lack of healthy bodies has been a massive hurdle to its hopes of securing a favorable seeding in the postseason.
On the bright side, Grant has been a godsend for the Blazers, and the front office must be feeling vindicated after keeping the veteran on the roster. Since the All-Star break, he has been averaging 19.8 points per game on 50.4 percent shooting from the field. And as mentioned, his sharpshooting has helped them stay afloat and log enough wins to remain in the hunt for a higher seeding.
It's unclear if Grant can sustain his production and efficiency through the home stretch of the regular season and the postseason. The organization and its fans likely hope that will be the case because having another dependable scorer behind Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe, as soon as he returns, will be key to its possible pursuit of a playoff spot.
A dilemma waiting in the summer
It might be too early to think about it, but Grant's performance could give the Blazers a tough decision in the offseason. While they should definitely appreciate what he has brought to the table, it's not exactly ideal that their most reliable 3-point shooter this season are the 32-year-old forward and an older Jrue Holiday.
For various reasons, the team might be better off trading Grant in the summer and opening up more playing time for the younger pieces who are more likely to be a part of its future. However, he has clearly demonstrated his value that the Blazers could find difficult to replace.
But again, this is not the time to focus on that. The final weeks of the regular season and the play-in tournament are more pressing concerns, and thankfully, Grant has proven to be an impactful contributor and not a burden for the club.