The Portland Trail Blazers have a $160 million problem to resolve before the 2025-26 NBA season can begin. Portland parted ways with veterans Deandre Ayton and Anfernee Simons, but Jerami Grant and his average annual salary of $32 million across five seasons remain on the roster, with three years left on his deal.
For as uncomfortable as the conversation may thus be, it's time for Chauncey Billups and the Trail Blazers to officially usher in a new era by moving Grant to the second unit.
Grant continues to be a productive forward capable of defending multiple positions. In 2024-25, the 31-year-old averaged 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 block, 0.9 steals, and 2.3 three-point field goals made in 32.4 minutes per game.
Unfortunately, he also shot 37.3 percent from the field and missed 35 games—marking the third time in four seasons that Grant has been sidelined for at least 28 outings.
With Grant battling injuries and inefficiency, two players stepped up in his absence: Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara. Avdija began to tap into his All-Star potential, posting eye-opening statistics while contributing to wins, while Camara emerged as one of the best defenders in the NBA.
Grant started all 47 games that he played in 2024-25, but if the Trail Blazers are serious about taking the next step, then starting Avdija and Camara at the forward spots must be the priority.
Blazers must start Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara at forward
Avdija, 24, was the No. 9 overall selection at the 2020 NBA Draft. The Washington Wizards never seemed to position him to regularly play with the ball in his hands, however, and thus a golden opportunity was presented to Portland to acquire him in 2024.
Having paid the price of Malcolm Brogdon, two first-round draft picks, and two second-rounders, the Trail Blazers clearly believed in his potential.
Avdija justified the hype in 2024-25, turning in a career year. He set new highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and three-point field goals made per game, all the while maintaining an eFG% that was above the league average.
Avdija took his game to a star-caliber level during the second half of the season, averaging 20.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.0 steal, and 2.0 three-point field goals on .492/.374/.777 shooting across Portland's final 41 games.
Avdija played in 34 of those 41 outings, during which time Portland went 20-14. Considering it went 3-4 in the seven games he missed, and was 13-28 when the stretch began, there was instant evidence of Avdija's ability to elevate the team with his performances.
By no means did he do it alone, but what the 24-year-old showed was that he should be locked in as a starter as he explores the upper limits of his potential.
Deni Avdija can lead the offense, Toumani Camara can anchor the defense
Camara, 25, put together a stellar second season in his own right. He started all 78 games he played, averaging 11.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 offensive boards, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.7 three-point field goals made on .458/.375/.722 shooting.
Camara joined Avdija in raising his game during the second half of the season, increasing his averages in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and three-point field goals made.
Camara appeared in 37 of the 41 games that Portland played during that time, with the team amassing a 20-17 record along the way. He shot 49.3 percent from the field and 41.5 percent from beyond the arc during that exceptional period.
Beyond the numbers, Camara emerged as a versatile and lockdown defender who earned All-Defensive Second Team honors for his efforts.
With this in mind, Billups must create a 2025-26 starting lineup that includes Avdija and Camara. They displayed clear and immediate signs of chemistry, raised their respective games with veterans battling injuries, and proved that they have the tools to become franchise pillars.
The question, of course, is simple: Why can't Portland just start Avdija, Camara, and Grant alongside one another as they did at times in 2024-25?
Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe change everything
In 2024-25, Portland rolled out three-forward lineups that would see Avdija, Camara, and Grant start alongside players such as Simons and Donovan Clingan. It was an intriguing structure that admittedly yielded promising results.
The development of Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe must take precedence over Grant in 2025-26, however, thus introducing the first wrinkle.
Sharpe should be locked in as a starter in 2025-26 as the Trail Blazers look to determine what his long-term ceiling truly is. He's entering the final season on his rookie-scale contract and needs regular minutes and touches to help Portland determine how much he should be paid next summer.
With Sharpe playing as a wing, that opens the door for Henderson to solidify his place as the starting point guard of the future—whether as a starter or a short-term backup to Jrue Holiday.
Holiday, a two-time NBA champion, is a logical frontrunner to start for Portland in 2025-26. Not only does he bring a championship pedigree to the team, but his defensive acumen and revered leadership make him a perfect mentor for the roster in place.
All signs thus point to the ideal starting lineup including Avdija, Camara, and Clingan in the frontcourt, and some combination of Henderson, Holiday, and Sharpe at the guard spots. For as uncomfortable as the conversation will likely be, that means Billups must make the logical decision to bench Grant.
Hefty minutes and touches will likely still be made available to Grant as a key reserve, but it's time for Portland to officially embrace its youth movement.