Lakers, Blazers Finalizing Blockbuster NBA Trade https://t.co/ncl8n7Wq3r
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) July 28, 2024
The Los Angeles Lakers have widely been regarded as the most disappointing team of the NBA offseason.
Initially, L.A. came into the summer with high hopes. Klay Thompson, Dejounte Murray and DeMar DeRozan were just a few of the big names that the Lakers were linked to.
Unfortunately, none of those guys actually wound up with Los Angeles. Thompson went to the Dallas Mavericks. Murray was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. And DeRozan landed with the Sacramento Kings.
On Saturday word also came down that the Lauri Markkanen Trade Sweepstakes had dwindled to three teams – and the Lakers weren’t one of them.
Fortunately, less than 24 hours later, a reprieve came down. It appears as though L.A. is on the verge of a blockbuster trade with the Portland Trail Blazers centered around Jerami Grant.
“So much of the focus has been on Klay and the [Los Angeles] Clippers and always the Lakers,” ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported over the weekend. “Should we start printing the Jerami Grant-Lakers jerseys, by the way? Should we just do it now? … I might order one.”
Lowe has never been one for errant speculation. If he is saying something like this, it’s because he knows it is actually going down.
And in a lot of ways this move makes sense. The Lakers have been linked to Grant for some time. The only thing that has held up the trade from occurring up to this point is L.A.’s refusal to include one key piece in a potential deal.
It appears as though the Lakers’ position has now changed.
Will Grant be enough to push LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers back into title contention? Time will tell.
https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1817594691090882658
https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1817597546573033708
Classic click bait. A off the cuff remark turns into finalizing a blockbuster trade. One would think that at least someone from the LA media would pick up on it. Grant has a bad contract. When Dame left the speculation was that the Trailblazers would have to pay to get out of it. Grant brings a little better defense but he isn’t a better scorer than Rui and while Rui hasn’t been a great rebounder, he’s better the Grant. Grant doesn’t move the needle enough to justify the cost.
True, but nothing’s happening and it gives me a chance to push a trade I like. These are the kinds of deals that work. We offer a pick for Grant, Portland says they want two. We counter OK but then throw in Williams. They hash over the filler and any sweeteners and agree to a trade. Expanding trades is how we get more depth and diversity, how we swap more 1-ways for 2-ways. Of course, you have to be willing to give up the second pick. You know Rob would love to keep a pick for the deadline but with how LeBron and AD are playing, time to go all-in is now imo.
You still think any of your pushing has any bearing whatsoever on a deal coming to fruition? Christ, you’re just like the morons who think their pathetic little lives change because of who’s in office.
Grant is not going all in Tom. Do a little research. He is a decent player that’s way overpaid. We should get a first for taking him. He a pretty good defender but a poor rebounder. He averaged 21 on a bad team as the first option. How much offense will he brings as the 3rd. And Williams has bad knees. He played 62 games one year other than that he has hardly played. You have to give up either Rui or DLO and either Vando or Vincent and that’s just for Grant. When you look at return vs cost it’s not worth it. Better off trying to land someone like Carter Jr and keep the core.
While I am a big fan of Grant, I agree entirely with your take that he will not move the needle. Averaging 21 on a bad team as the first option, plus not a good rebounder, makes it a risky move. I am still holding on to my belief that the team needs to hold on to it as is till something meaningful comes up. Thanks, Michael.
https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1817638608293282280
Hard to see Portland expanding the trade for one of their starters and the same 2 picks they’re asking just for Grant. Even if they did, I’d still just roll with Hayes. He’s 3 inches taller, doesn’t weigh much less, has more upside and stays healthier. Robert Williams has managed 60+ games in exactly one season he’s played in. That’s just me, though.