According to Sean Highkin, an NBA insider at the Rose Garden Report, the Portland Trail Blazers reportedly could not get any attention in trade negotiations involving Jerami Grant.
Jerami Grant owes $102.6 million in the next three years
The Trail Blazers decided not to make any changes before the trade deadline for the past year. Then, after missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, they chose several changes this offseason.
Portland traded Jaru holidays and brought back All-Star guard Damian Lillard. However, the Trail Blazers were unable to find Deandre Ayton’s trading partner, so they had to give up on him.
According to Brett Siegel of the clutch, the Trail Blazers had Ayton, Robert Williams III and Grant at one point. Both Williams and Grant are still in the roster.
For Grant, his situation is even more complicated. The 31-year-old owes $102.6 million over the next three years. This is part of a five-year, $160 million contract he signed with Portland in July 2023.
Not many teams are willing to trade for players with such contracts and a long injury history. In 2024-25, he averaged 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 32.4 minutes in 47 games (all starts).
Grant has not competed at least 70 games since 2019 – 20 years
Grant suffered an ankle injury in January and experienced knee discomfort in April.
He had surgery under the Detroit Piston in December 2021 to repair the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the right thumb of the ulnar and was excluded for at least six weeks.
On March 28, 2022, Grant was excluded from the rest of the 2021-22 season due to a calf strain. He has not played at least 70 games in a season since 2019-20 years with the Denver Nuggets.
So the team didn’t fully line up to reach a trade deal for the 11-year veteran. This means the Trail Blazers may be in trouble with him next season.
General Manager Joe Cronin may discuss contract acquisition with Grant, but that may not happen until 2026.
Phoenix Suns did this somehow for Bradley Beal.
Unless something drastic happens, Grant may still be the starting power forward for the Trail Blazers.
