The Blazers’ biggest offseason addition from a season ago, is expected to remain in Portland. Sure, Jerami Grant didn’t change the record much for the Portland Trail Blazers, but he was a nice addition to have alongside star PG Damian Lillard. Through, the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday, the Portland Trail Blazers were awarded the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
What do the Blazers do with a Top 3 pick?
The Blazers could of course keep the pick. Maybe, there’s a Top 3 player that Lillard wants, not named Victor Wembanyama. However, the Blazers are expected to trade the pick. Lillard has said that there are guys who want to play in Portland. Maybe, you can shop the pick with the combination of Anfernee Simons and Jusuf Nurkic to see where it leads you. Though, if the Blazers don’t or can’t get a top-tier talent to help move the needle, then the offseason could potentially be labeled a bust.
Lillard also stated in his exit interview that he doesn’t want to go through another rebuilding season.
So based on what GM Joe Cronin had stated after the Blazers landed the No. 3 pick. The Blazers organization is leaving it all up to Lillard, whether he wants to request a trade depending on what they can do or if they make the big splash and he stays.
“We’ll see, the market will tell, but I think three is significant. There’s going to be some really good players available at three that could be great for us or somebody else depending on how we approach this draft.”
As of now, the Blazers would be in line to land Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson. Though, it is being reported that they may ship the pick with Simons or Shaedon Sharpe.
How does Grant help?
In his first season with the Trail Blazers, Jerami Grant averaged 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists. As a power forward, the Blazers needed more rebounding numbers from him. So if they do decide to re-sign him, which at this point sounds certain, they may need to move him to SF and bring in a PF that can get you the rebounds. Grant was also a 40% shooter, which is all the more reason to keep him out on the wing as much as possible.
The 29-year-old is coming off of a three-year $60 million deal and can be expected to get about the same. If the Blazers do decide to keep Grant, he’ll help a championship-competing team if the Blazers, end up going in that direction.
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