Grade the Trade: Realistic Blazers proposal has Jerami Grant landing with Lakers

Grading the Trail Blazers’ proposal

The Lakers' 2029 first-round pick is a coveted asset for the Blazers, as Buckley mentions: "An unprotected future first from a team whose best players are all on the wrong side of 30 holds obvious appeal for a rebuilder, and Portland would have plenty of time to see if it can develop Lewis, the 40th pick of the 2023 draft."

If just about any other team in the league's best players were a 39-year-old likely to retire before the 2028-29 season and a 31-year-old injury-prone big man, the pick would be significantly more valuable. But the Lakers are a historic franchise, and Los Angeles is one of the biggest markets and an attractive destination for many free agents. The Lakers are more likely to find another star in free agency after LeBron is gone compared to other franchises that would have to embrace a full-on rebuild to get back to playoff contention.

Nonetheless, there's still a timeline where this turns into a top-ten pick, which would make it worth the deal alone. Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxwell Lewis are also serviceable role players that the Blazers could keep around and give them a chance to develop with an increased opportunity. They have all the time in the world to see how these players pan out, especially 22-year-old Lewis.

Cronin wants two first-round picks, but the Blazers may have to accept that Grant's massive contract and inability to be a go-to star on a playoff team makes his trade value closer to a deal like this one. This is an interesting proposal for both parties involved, and one the Blazers should strongly consider to help continue their rebuild.

Grade: B+