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Grade the Trade: Portland jumps into top 5 of draft, gets off egregious contract

The Blazers land another top-seven draft pick and dump a contract in this mock trade proposal.

By Reese Kunz

Jan 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Jabari Walker (34) and guard Anfernee Simons (1) celebrate with forward Jerami Grant (9) after he made a three point basket in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Jabari Walker (34) and guard Anfernee Simons (1) celebrate with forward Jerami Grant (9) after he made a three point basket in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
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Portland acquires No. 5 pick in 2024 NBA Draft from Detroit

Blazers Pistons trade

At first glance, Grant and Matisse Thybulle fit Detroit’s roster needs well and could help solidify their forward positions. Additionally, if there’s a draft to move back in, this appears to be the one.

"This trade addresses the perimeter defensive concerns, as Grant is an above-average defender and Thybulle is a very good on-ball defender. Furthermore, Grant has shot better than 40 percent from 3 the last two seasons, while Thybulle has turned himself into a decent standstill shooter. Additionally, Detroit still would have a lottery pick in June’s draft."

- James L. Edwards III

Despite these reasons for making the trade, the deal doesn’t make much sense for the rebuilding Pistons, who finished with the worst record in the league at 14-68. The Pistons need to find another star to pair along with Cade Cunningham. Jerami Grant is a great player, but he’s not a star. Just as importantly, he’s also 30 years old and doesn’t fit their timeline. Their best bet to find a co-star for Cunningham is patiently through the draft. Because of this, Detroit should stay put at pick No. 5.

It would also be in their best interest to keep their cap space open to acquire bad contracts attached to draft capital from teams. Spending $40 million on Grant and Thybulle to get maybe ten more wins next season doesn’t make sense from a long-term standpoint. They are so far away from playoff contention that it’s not time for them to accelerate their rebuild.

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