NBA Trade Rumors: Portland Trail Blazers to pursue Jerami Grant

NBA Trade Rumors: The Portland Trail Blazers are expected to push hard for Jerami Grant this offseason? 

It came as somewhat of a surprise when it was reported that the Portland Trail Blazers elected to hit the reset button at the NBA Trade Deadline, trading Norman Powell, Robert Covington, and CJ McCollum.

However, what came as even more of a surprise was the fact that they reportedly have no plans of trading Damian Lillard and instead of starting a full-blown rebuild, the Blazers are hoping to use available cap space and new-found assets to retool around their star.

While there aren’t a ton of big-name stars set to hit the open market during the offseason, the Blazers are hoping to find one in the trade market. According to a recent report, part of their retooling plan includes pursuing Jerami Grant during the offseason via trade.

Grant was shopped at the trade deadline, but the Detroit Pistons ultimately decided to keep him on the roster for the remainder of the season. It’s expected that the Pistons will probably explore his trade value again during the offseason. Especially considering that he’s due for another huge extension this offseason, something that the Pistons are unlikely to do considering they’re in the middle of a rebuild.

The last thing that a team such as the Pistons needs to do is allocate a huge portion of their cap space to a player that is probably better suited on a contender. For as good as Grant has been since his breakout campaign with the Denver Nuggets, he’s not exactly a No. 1 or 2. He’s better suited – and in a more comfortable role – as a third option for a playoff contender.

Right now, the Pistons aren’t that. Even though I’d argue the Blazers would be making a mistake if Grant is their only big acquisition during the offseason, he’s a better fit in Portland than in Detroit.

I honestly hope there’s a bigger move coming for the Blazers and, quite frankly, there has to be.