Trail Blazers Eye Future Flexibility in Potential Jerami Grant Trade

PORTLAND, Ore. — With the NBA trade deadline less than a week away, the Portland Trail Blazers are exploring options to offload forward Jerami Grant, whose five-year, $160 million contract has been a topic of trade discussions since its signing ahead of the 2023-24 season. Recent proposals suggest the Blazers could gain future assets and financial flexibility in exchange for the 30-year-old veteran.

One potential deal, outlined by analyst Buckley, involves the Milwaukee Bucks. The proposed trade would send Grant to Milwaukee in exchange for Khris Middleton and a 2031 first-round pick with top-five protections. For the Blazers, the primary appeal lies in acquiring the draft pick, which could be a valuable asset as they continue their rebuild. The Bucks, meanwhile, are motivated to bolster their roster for a championship push, given the aging cores of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Grant, who has averaged 20.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game this season, would provide an immediate upgrade for the Bucks over Middleton, who has shown signs of regression following offseason ankle injuries. However, the Blazers are less focused on adding Middleton and more interested in securing future draft capital.

Another proposed trade, suggested by Ricardo Klein of Sports Illustrated, involves the Toronto Raptors. The deal would send Grant to Toronto in exchange for Bruce Brown, Chris Boucher, Kelly Olynyk, and Davion Mitchell. While this trade lacks the excitement of a blockbuster move, it aligns with Portland’s goal of shedding Grant’s long-term contract for shorter, more manageable deals.

Dan Favale of Bleacher Report noted that acquiring Grant doesn’t perfectly align with Toronto’s timeline but highlighted the Raptors’ interest in making a move. Both the Blazers and Raptors are in similar positions as teams that should be rebuilding but have yet to fully commit to a youth movement.

For Portland, trading Grant has become a necessity to advance their rebuild. The team currently holds the seventh-worst record in the league and is focused on developing young talent like Scoot Henderson. Shedding Grant’s contract would provide the Blazers with greater financial flexibility and allow them to take fliers on players like Mitchell, a defensive-minded guard who has yet to reach his potential in the NBA.

As the February 6 deadline approaches, the Blazers are expected to intensify their efforts to move Grant. Whether they strike a deal with Milwaukee, Toronto, or another team, the priority remains clear: securing future assets and flexibility to accelerate their rebuild.