The Los Angeles Lakers have yet to make their first splash of the 2024 NBA offseason.
At this point, fans might be wondering if the splash is even coming.
They might also be eager to see an upgrade, and Portland Trail Blazers swingman Jerami Grant would certainly qualify as such. While he’s never made an All-Star roster, he has posted near-All-Star numbers, averaging 20-plus points in three of the last four seasons.
He’s also, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fisher (h/t HoopsHype), “on the [Lakers’] radar.”
If the Lakers wanted to gain traction on a Grant deal, it wouldn’t be too difficult.
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The rebuilding Blazers apparently have a “goal” of unloading either Grant or Anfernee Simons ahead of training camp. The Lakers could also make the money work pretty easily, as they’ve been looking to unload D’Angelo Russell since he picked up his $18.7 million player option.
If a package of something like Russell, Rui Hachimura and a future first-round pick was enough to get Grant, you could see win-win potential in such a swap.
But is that really the needle-moving trade the Lakers have been patiently waiting to make?
Sure, L.A. could use Grant’s size, length, defensive versatility and support scoring. The fact he has perked up his perimeter shooting (40-plus percent on solid volume each of the past two seasons) would also improve his fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Is he worth tapping into the Lakers’ limited collection of trade assets, though? That’s a tough argument to make.
For all of the urgency the franchise surely feels given James’ approaching 40th 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day, it can’t rush into any trade for the sake of adjusting the roster. The Lakers have two future firsts and a couple mid-level prospects to shop around. That’s a solid package, but subtract even a piece or two, and it could lose its luster in a hurry.
That fact, more than anything, probably explains why the Purple and Gold has been so patient so far this summer.
“The Lakers have made it clear they’re not going to trade just to trade,” The Athletic’s Jovan Buha wrote. “They want it to be purposeful. They may only get one or two more swings with James and Davis. The bar for trading one of their first-round picks, let alone two, is high.”
Is Grant enough of an upgrade over Hachimura to make the sacrifice worth it? In a word: nope.
Whatever improvement Grant would give this group isn’t enough to help it keep pace in the perpetually improving Western Conference. Remember, his near-All-Star numbers have come on some abysmal teams in Portland and Detroit. When Grant has suited up for a contender, he has essentially functioned as a high-end three-and-D role player.
The Lakers need more than that to contend, but they also need more to justify letting go of real trade assets.
L.A. is correct in its calculation that a major trade is needed to rejoin the championship chase. Getting Grant, though, isn’t that trade.
