Major Trade Idea Between Grizzlies and Trail Blazers
The Memphis Grizzlies are at least one solid piece away from serious title contention. A great regular season team, the Grizzlies showed in the first round vs. the Los Angeles Lakers why so many were skeptical about their ability to thrive in a playoff setting.
With their biggest need for an upgrade being at the small forward position, the Grizzlies will likely be aggressive this offseason in searching for a high-level starter they can plug next to their Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. trio. In a hypothetical trade idea from Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley, Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant was named as an option.
Grant played 63 games for the Trail Blazers last season, averaging 20.5 PPG on 47.5% from the field and 40.1% from deep. With Grant set to enter unrestricted free agency this summer, a deal would have to come via a sign and trade. If the Grizzlies are looking for an upgrade over Dillon Brooks without losing too much on the defensive side, then Grant would be a great option for them to target.
During their first round loss to the Lakers, it was evident that the Grizzlies needed a shooting threat in the small forward role. With Morant's game being so reliant on driving lanes, Brooks' defender leaving him open and helping on those drives made life much more difficult for Morant and the Grizzlies. Replacing him with someone like Grant, who shot 40.1% from deep last season, would be ideal.
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