The Portland Trail Blazers may not be playoff-ready just yet, but they’ve shown meaningful progress. After finishing the 2024–25 NBA season with 36 wins — their best record in the last four years — the franchise has reason to feel optimistic. A developing young core featuring Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, and Donovan Clingan offers a promising foundation for the future.
Add in the defensive versatility of Toumani Camara and an upcoming lottery pick, and the Blazers appear to be trending in the right direction. However, growth often comes with difficult decisions. As Portland evaluates its roster ahead of a pivotal offseason, one conclusion seems clear: it's time to move on from Jerami Grant.
Jerami Grant No Longer Fits the Trail Blazers' Vision
When Jerami Grant signed
a five-year, $160 million contract with the Blazers in 2023, he was expected to be a veteran leader and scoring option. But as the team’s younger players have taken control, Grant’s role has diminished — and his production along with it.
In the 2024–25 season, Grant averaged just 14.4 points per game on a disappointing 37.3% shooting. Even more concerning, he played in only 47 games, marking his third straight season ending prematurely by mid-March due to injuries.
Grant's presence now feels redundant. With Avdija and Camara holding down the forward positions and Anfernee Simons and Sharpe commanding larger offensive roles, Grant has become an expensive luxury rather than a necessity.
A Contract That’s Holding the Blazers Back
At nearly
$30 million per year, Jerami Grant’s contract is among the worst in the NBA based on current production. His declining impact on the court and consistent injury issues make it difficult to justify his salary, especially for a rebuilding team like Portland.
While Grant has had success on playoff teams in Oklahoma City and Denver, those roles emphasized defense and floor spacing — not leading an offense. Unfortunately, Grant’s recent preference for a featured scoring role has not yielded positive results for him or the Blazers.
Why the Trail Blazers Must Explore a Trade
The reality is this: Jerami Grant no longer aligns with the Trail Blazers' long-term plan. Portland needs to create cap flexibility, open up minutes for its young stars, and potentially bring in assets that fit better with the team’s timeline.
Yes, Grant’s trade value is currently low, and moving his contract won’t be easy. But if there's an opportunity to offload his deal — even at a discount — the Blazers should take it. Whether that’s through attaching draft capital or engaging a team seeking veteran depth, it’s a move worth exploring.
Looking Ahead: A Clearer Path to Contention
With a strong young core, valuable draft picks, and a motivated coaching staff led by Chauncey Billups, the Portland Trail Blazers are poised for a brighter future. But trimming unnecessary salary and redefining the roster around rising talent is crucial.
Trading Jerami Grant is the next logical step in that evolution — one that could help the Blazers move from rebuilding to playoff contention in the coming years.
