The trio of Jerami Grant, Deni Avdija, and Shaedon Sharpe has the second-worst defensive rating in the entire NBA this season. If the Portland Trail Blazers are truly building around Avdija and Sharpe, then Grant must be the odd man out.
Offensively, this trio has been doing most of the heavy lifting for an injury-riddled Blazers team, as each player is averaging at least 20 points per game. But that makes this stat all the more concerning.
This offseason focused on establishing a defensive identity, trading Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holiday, and giving Donovan Clingan a larger role in place of Deandre Ayton. But general manager Joe Cronin's vision of building an elite defense in Portland has not come to fruition.
In fact, the Blazers have taken a step back defensively, ranking 21st in defensive rating (116.3) and 25th in opponent points per game (120.1).
Jerami Grant is getting in the way of Blazers' defensive identity
While injuries have certainly contributed to this underwhelming defensive performance, they've also exposed a flaw in Portland's current roster construction. Their defensive identity is overly reliant on role players such as Blake Wesley, Robert Williams III, and Matisse Thybulle. For a young Blazers team emphasizing a long-term approach, this is not a sustainable formula.
Avdija isn't necessarily a defensive liability, but his defense has taken a hit due to his increased offensive role. Sharpe remains a work in progress on that end at 22 years old, but he's improved over last season and has the physical tools to get there eventually. But we keep going back to the fact that an overpaid 31-year-old Grant just doesn't fit this rebuilding Blazers roster.
What happens when Williams and Thybulle leave? That could even happen during this current trade season, especially given their expiring contracts. What happens when a 35-year-old Holiday declines athletically and is no longer a two-way guard?
All these injuries showed that the Blazers can't reach their desired defensive level unless their best players are also at that level.
Championship teams like the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder provided the blueprint by having their best players be two-way players. The Blazers will never achieve that formula as long as Grant remains on this roster.
This defensive rating stat should be further proof that Portland needs to move on from their veteran forward. Thanks to his improved 2025-26 season, they could have an opportunity to do so. It's important they take advantage of the window before it closes, as Grant only gets older and more expensive.