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The Dallas Mavericks are one of multiple teams to have “checked in” on Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, according to SNY’s Ian Begley.
Grant was limited to 54 games in 2023-24, averaging 21.0 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 40.2 percent on three-pointers.
Last summer, the 30-year-old signed a $160 million contract to return to Portland and it took a matter of days for his exit to look inevitable. That’s because Damian Lillard requested a trade shortly after the agreement between Grant and the Trail Blazers, a development that radically altered their short-term trajectory.
Lillard eventually got his wish and the team finished 21-61 in the first year of its rebuild.
Given how far Portland is away from contention, you’d expect Grant to be available for the right offer. He’s much better suited as a secondary scoring option on a playoff team, and his skill set should have him in demand with franchises in that position.
Danny Leroux of The Athletic allso explained in December how Grant’s contract, which was a clear overpay at the time, won’t be the same kind of liability in a few years thanks to the NBA’s rising salary cap. His $33 million average salary for the next four seasons could look better for general managers than paying a comparable or even slightly better forward in free agency. Pascal Siakam just got a four-year, $189.5 million deal from the Indiana Pacers.
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor listed him as a “dream fit” for the Mavs, who are looking to improve their roster on the heels of an NBA Finals appearance.
“Just imagine a guy with Grant’s scoring talent receiving kickout passes from Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, instead of Maxi Kleber,” O’Connor wrote. “Grant would feast on more open looks than he ever has. And because of his handling ability, he could help alleviate some of Luka and Kyrie’s burden.”
If the Blazers were to put Grant on the trade block, then Dallas would probably face some stiff competition to land him.