30 in 30: Is Damian Lillard enough to carry the Portland Trail Blazers?

Jerami Grant has to live up to the billing

The Portland Trail Blazers’ marquee addition during the offseason was the acquisition of Jerami Grant. For better or worse, he’s a player that may not enter with a star pedigree but he is certainly a player that will immediately help the Blazers as they look to improve this season.

He’s a great fit next to Damian Lillard considering he doesn’t necessarily need the ball in his hands to be effective and will help as a versatile defender. Last season in Detroit, Grant averaged 19 points and four rebounds on 36 percent shooting from 3-point range.

He’s also just 28 years old and could give this team some added youth and athleticism that they lacked last season from the wing position. Grant has proven he can be productive in a secondary role and he’ll likely have to do so again.

But, with the Blazers, there’s a reason to believe that this is a role he could thrive in.