According to NBA insider Ian Begley from SNY, the Dallas Mavericks are considering trading for Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant.
The Mavericks recently lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals, while the Blazers did not make the playoffs.
Begley reported, “Several teams, including the Mavs, have inquired about Jerami Grant’s situation in Portland.” Grant, who is 30 years old, is entering the second season of a five-year, $160 million contract with the Trail Blazers. ESPN Insider Bobby Marks noted that the NBA’s new broadcast rights deal is expected to steadily increase the salary cap over the next few years. This context is important because Grant’s contract will likely be perceived differently in the future compared to its current evaluation.
During the 2023-24 season, Grant played in 54 games for the Blazers, averaging 21.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game. He shot 45.1% from the field, 40.2% from three-point range, and 81.7% from the free-throw line.
Next season, Grant will earn $29.8 million. In July of last year, he inked a $160 million, five-year contract with the Blazers.
With the Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and Blazers, Grant, 30, has averaged 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks throughout his career.
This offseason, the Mavericks plan to try to trade Tim Hardaway Jr. The next season, Hardaway Jr. will earn $16.2 million, the last of his contract.
Of course, Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic are the team’s main players in Dallas. The Mavericks are also considering unrestricted free agent Tobias Harris in addition to Grant. It seems unlikely that Harris will re-sign with the 76ers in Philadelphia.