The Portland Trail Blazers know it will take a while before they can seriously compete for playoff positions again. Because of this, it’s in the team’s best interests to get as much draft capital and young talent that can help them become competitive in the next couple of years.
One of the top trade assets the Blazers can use in this scenario is Jerami Grant. The forward was one of the bright spots for the Blazers last season, and his presence on the squad could hamper the rebuild they’re trying to do.
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the teams trying to get Grant into their team, and the trade rumors has the Purple and Gold sending Rui Hachimura up north.
However, talks may have broken down due to what GM Joe Cronin wants for Grant’s services. One insider even went forward and called him out for his ridiculous demands.
NBA scout thinks Portland Trail Blazers want too much for Jerami Grant
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Lakers Daily’s Anthony Irwin wrote a piece on how the Blazers and the rest of the league are trying to leverage their advantage over a Lakers team desperate to win championships to bleed them dry of their resources.
One scout familiar with the situation called out Cronin and the Blazers for trying to fleece the Purple and Gold with their demands:
“Joe Cronin asking for two first-rounders for Jerami Grant is hilarious,” said the same scout. “Portland traded one first for him and then gave him that terrible contract. Why would he be more valuable now than he was when they landed him two years ago? But it’s what you can do when you feel like the other team is desperate.”
Grant is a great basketball player. He averaged 21.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists on 45% shooting and 40% from three last season. However, no one in their right mind would trade more than what the Blazers got for him with the contract they gave him.
It’s up to Rob Pelinka and the rest of the Lakers front office to decide if they’ll bite at Cronin’s demands or look elsewhere for a third option.
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