NBA Rumors: Trail Blazers' forward targeted by Western Conference team

After losing to the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks are looking to improve their roster further. They made two excellent trade deadline moves this season, strategically acquiring P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford. Both additions were valuable in Dallas making a late-season run and, ultimately, the Finals.

However, if the Finals were any indication, the Mavericks must continue adding complementary pieces alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Someone who could be in play for the Mavericks this offseason is Portland Trail Blazers' forward Jerami Grant. SNY's Ian Begley states, "Several teams, including the Mavs, have checked in on Jerami Grant's situation in Portland."

Dallas Mavericks' interest in Jerami Grant

Grant is entering the second year of his substantial five-year, $160 million deal signed last offseason. Begley mentions how the salary cap is expected to rise, which could make Grant's deal "viewed much differently in 2-3 years than it is today." The deal may make more sense from a financial standpoint in a few years. However, Grant is already 30 and will be owed $36.4 million if he decides to exercise his player option in 2027-28, when he will be 33.

Even if the salary cap increases, that's still a substantial contract to pay a 33-year-old who has never made an All-Star game. As a result, Grant only makes sense for a contending team like the Dallas Mavericks, who are clearly in win-now mode after making the Finals. Grant, who shot a career-high 40.2 percent from three this past season, would be an ideal fit as a floor spacer and tertiary offensive weapon alongside Doncic and Irving.

What would potential Grant deal look like?

Dallas has few trade assets, especially after their busy trade deadline. Regarding first-round picks, the Mavericks are limited but could move either the 2025 or 2031 first-round picks on draft day. Their 2025 first-round pick could make sense, given that they are likely to finish with a pick towards the end of the first round as long as Doncic remains healthy.

It will be challenging to match Jerami Grant's contract for salary purposes, but the Mavericks have some potential players to trade. For Portland, Josh Green is an intriguing trade asset and would fit their rebuilding timeline at 23 years old. If Dallas is reluctant to move Green, another option would be Tim Hardaway Jr.

According to Marc Stein, the Mavericks are reportedly open to moving Hardaway Jr., who is on an expiring deal worth $16.1 next season; this would help Portland improve its financial outlook and long-term flexibility. Moving Grant could benefit both teams, providing Dallas the piece to help put them over the top and allowing the Blazers to focus more on their rebuilding efforts.