5 Contingency plans for the Blazers if Scoot Henderson struggles in 2024-25

4. Trade Jerami Grant for package involving D-Lo

The Blazers are reportedly not interested in receiving D'Angelo Russell in trade talks with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the NBA is constantly evolving, and Cronin could be more open to getting D-Lo as part of the deal if the Blazers need a point guard change.

Similarly to Simons' deal with the Magic involving Black, a Grant trade package with the Lakers would have to include D-Lo and draft capital to get a deal done, as Grant is the better and more valuable player in the hypothetical deal. Black makes more sense for Portland than Russell since the Lakers' guard is 28 years old and will be out of his prime by the time the Blazers' young core is ready to compete for a playoff run.

Russell can be inconsistent, but he's still talented enough as a starting-level point guard, averaging 18 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.1 rebounds on 46/42/83 shooting splits last season. D-Lo would also provide the Blazers with more flexibility. He could be their short-term answer at point guard, allowing them to bridge the gap and give Scoot more years until he's ready to become a starter. Or they could use one of Scoot or D-Lo as a trade piece in another deal for a young point guard.