5 way too early NBA trade deadline targets for fringe contenders

4) Jerami Grant

The Portland Trail Blazers are in the middle of a rebuild and are paying Jerami Grant max money. As good and versatile as Grant is, he should not be being paid like a franchise player on a rebuilding team. The Blazers have reportedly fielded offers for Grant for a little while, with teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks showing interest in the forward.

Grant offers a skillset that is sought after in today’s NBA. He is a versatile defender standing at 6’9” and has diversified his offensive game over the last few seasons. Grant has averaged over 20 points per game and has shot over 40 percent from three-point range the last two seasons.

He can thrive as a third option on a contender and go back to focusing on the defensive end of the court, where he has thrived for most of his career. The Blazers have a lot of young talent on their roster. They have young guards Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simons.

They shored up their forward position by trading for Deni Avdija and have two great big men in DeAndre Ayton and new draft pick Donovan Clingan. Trading Grant will bring in even more assets to a young roster and allow Portland to get out of the rest of his contract.