NBA Trades: 3 more trades to continue the Trail Blazers' roster overhaul

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 31: Jerami Grant #9 of the Detroit Pistons in action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on October 31, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Brooklyn Nets defeated the Detroit Pistons 117-91, NBA Trades: 3 more trades to continue the Trail Blazers’ roster overhaul. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

NBA Trades: 3 more trades to continue the Trail Blazers’ roster overhaul – Jerami Grant

The Trail Blazers have tried and failed for the entirety of Damian Lillard’s tenure to find a true combo forward to pair with him.

From Maurice Harkless and Al-Farouq Aminu to Derrick Jones Jr., Carmelo Anthony, Robert Covington, and Larry Nance Jr., the Blazers have cycled through such players looking for someone who can score in bunches and defend opposing forwards.

Such a player is on the trade market now in Jerami Grant, and per Jake Fischer, the Blazers are very interested:

Having already moved Norm Powell and CJ McCollum, Portland is still engaged in conversations with Detroit on acquiring forward Jerami Grant, sources said.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 8, 2022

Jerami Grant broke into the league with the Philadelphia 76ers as a do-it-all defensive wing, but when the Denver Nuggets acquired him, he showed an ability to shoot well from outside and be the quintessential 3&D combo forward many teams covet.

The Pistons signed him to a major contract to be an offensive focal piece. He has struggled to be “the guy” in Detroit, but he looks the part of a solid second or third option.

Detroit is still rebuilding and will look to construct a solid young core around Cade Cunningham. Grant turns 28 next month and will be up for a new contract in 2023. It makes sense for the Pistons to move him for value and continue building out their next great team.

Portland would do this to retool around Damian Lillard; they wouldn’t do this if they also move Lillard. Assuming he stays around, the combination of Nassir Little and Jerami Grant at the forward spots is intriguing.

This is the kind of move Portland never could pull off; would it work out better than the Covington deal, for example? Grant is a much better offensive player than Covington and hopefully would help Portland right the ship.

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