The Los Angeles Lakers may be the most curious team of this NBA offseason. Coming off another playoff exit to the Denver Nuggets, many expected them to bounce back with multiple roster changes. But they stuck to their guns, adding just two rookies in the NBA draft. Instead of those multiple changes, they head into next season with virtually the same roster. And questions are starting to emerge.
With LeBron James’ talent, the team should be competitive. But it’s not a top team by any stretch. With LeBron James at the helm, it feels like the final days of his career have been wasted. As the Paris Olympics proved, James still has value. But he needs a quality team around him to have a chance at a title shot.
For the Lakers, any trade would mean giving up assets and a potential future. But with LBJ at the helm, they could come to a compromise. One name that is perpetually linked to them is Jerami Grant of the Portland Trailblazers. According to reports, the two teams have had multiple discussions about what a potential trade could look like. However, nothing concrete has happened and Grant is still in Portland.
Still, Grant represents the best-case scenario for Los Angeles and general manager Rob Pelinka. And there might be a way to satisfy both sides.
Bleacher Report’s Business Idea Send Jerami Grant to the Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers host: F Jerami Grant
Portland Trail Blazers host: guard D’Angelo Russell and forward Jarred Vanderbilt, G Maxwell Lewis, 2029 first-round pick (LAL)
Going from two first-round picks to one could be the biggest jump for Portland. With Jerami still sitting on $132 million over four years, the Trail Blazers could seek a bigger deal for the 3-and-D specialist. But the addition of D’Angelo Russell could persuade them otherwise.
Russell had a great season with the Lakers, outside of the playoffs. Throughout the regular season, D’Lo was one of the best point guards in the league. For Portland, his on-court production would be secondary as they could repackage him for more upside.
NBA TRADE NEWS AND RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Similarly, Jarred Vanderbilt should fetch a decent price on the trade market. With his immense defensive versatility and upside, teams may be willing to give up some additional compensation in the draft. Plus, his $12 million per year contract makes him extremely viable for any future team. But, at 25, JV is young enough to potentially be a part of the Trailblazers’ future.
The addition of Maxwell Lewis and the 2029 first-round pick is a real boon. In Max, Portland gets a young player with immense potential. Rather than letting him rot, they could find a spot for him in their rotation, allowing him to flourish. For a team that is looking to the future, another developmental piece couldn’t hurt.
What would the Lakers’ trajectory look like?
During the Olympics, LeBron returned to the full-time point guard role. James hadn’t played that role since the Lakers won the 2019-20 title. But as they headed to the gold medal, it became clear that the king was still an elite playmaker. Moving D’Angelo Russell out of town would open up that potential avenue, allowing LBJ to return to his natural position.
Sure, Jerami Grant’s spot in Los Angeles has been considered by many teams. But it’s a smart move, given Grant’s unique skill set. With an increased offensive load, Jerami’s defense has taken a back seat. But he’s still terrifying in that regard. However, his offensive explosion has added a lot of challenges to his game. As a potential 3rd or 4th option, he could thrive in the spotlight.
NBA TRADE NEWS AND RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
During his time with the Denver Nuggets, he gained enough experience in high-potential games that could prove useful for the Lakers as they try their luck at the top again. For Los Angeles, it’s a no-brainer. It remains to be seen whether Pelinka can convince Portland of the potential benefits of such a deal and provide LeBron James with a real game-changer.
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