Blazers struggling to trade Jerami Grant, viewed as 'negative asset'

Contributor
Andrew Nemec
Blazers struggling to trade Jerami Grant, viewed as 'negative asset' image

The Portland Trail Blazers are changing direction this offseason.

General manager Joe Cronin has already traded away longest-tenured Blazer Anfernee Simons and released talented-but-inconsistent center Deandre Ayton.

However, there's still one glaring move Portland would like to make: offloading the three-year, $102.6 million contract of forward Jerami Grant.

The only problem? Portland can't find a buyer.

According to Forbes NBA contributor Evan Sidery, the Blazers are working to trade Grant but his contract is a massive hurdle.

"The Trail Blazers have unsuccessfully been attempting to offload Jerami Grant’s contract," he wrote. "Paid $102.6 million over the next three seasons with declining production, Grant’s contract is viewed around the NBA as a negative asset."

When Grant signed a five-year, $160-million deal in the summer 2023 he was viewed as a potential franchise-stabilizing force in the wake of Damian Lillard's desire to be traded.

While the "Lillard-to-Bucks" deal wasn't done for another several weeks, Grant was positioned to either be incentive for Lillard to remain in Portland or a key veteran to lead the next Blazers era.

Instead, Grant has struggled.

Last season, the 31-year-old averaged 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game - nearly five points per game lower than in any of his previous four seasons. 

Unsurprisingly, the $30-million-plus pricetag on a potentially-declining player has made Cronin's job difficult.

Portland wants to move on from Grant.

It remains to be seen if they can find someone to take him.