OFFICIAL AROUND THE NBA: JULY 2024

Seems like that could've risked luxury tax though? That's a nonstarter. Blazers only get $230 million per year from national TV money.

 

your next Blazer right there

 

I didn't want Knecht at all at #7 or even #14 but if he's a throw in to a Grant deal that's fine. Maybe he becomes a bench role player some day. Really want us to get out of that Grant contract and instead see young upside players in Grants role.

 

Grants contract is going to be considered a steal now. Even more so at the trade deadline. Blazers need to hold Grant until Feb. Might be the same for Simons.

 

unless it's a contract for an absolute star who is on the youngish side, or the beginning of a rookie scale deal, I'd be surprised if any team really wants a player with 4 years left on a contract. That length of contract tends to limit options and flexibility and the NBA doesn't seem to value static rosters

Grant is a wing with length; he has some 3&D and 2-way value although his defense is may not be good enough for either designation. I'd assume he has quite a bit higher trade value than Ant because of those attributes; Ant doesn't have any of them. But the difference in contract duration probably levels their respective values. Grant's rebounding, or lack of, is certain to have been noticed too

 

With the rising cap I think Grant contract is a slight positive value compared to Ants, $32 million when maxes are going up to 60-70+ million is very fine. Also we've seen a number of wings still perform well at age ~33+ when Grants contract ends. It's nothing like the good value of Deni cheap contract for sure - Grants contract has both negative and positive attributes. If Grant was on a cheaper contract he'd be worth more in a trade.

A team that views Grant a starter now that can help them contend immediately will be fine with the contract and may greatly prefer those extra years not having any possibility of him getting raises. Worst case scenario they could probably trade it in a couple years to pivot a new direction just as the Kings did last week with Harrison Barnes. So yes there is some downside but its not a Bradley Beal/Zach Lavine type of cap crippling downside.

The bigger question is how much value Grant has at his current age, current production, and with his contract in terms of FRP/asset coming back? I can see getting one decent pick or maybe two mediocre ones. This idea the Blazers are getting multiple unprotected picks or a great young player is delusional IMO. Guess we'll see what happens.

 

Grant is 30 years old and will turn 31 next season, He's a 10 year veteran, and in those 10 years he has established some benchmarks other teams can clearly see:

* he can average 20-21 points on a bad team; and 13-14 points on a good team
* he will only average 4-5 rebounds and 2-3 assists
* he has dramatically improved his 3pt shooting but plays below average defense with questionable versatility
* he has 4 years left on his deal at 33M/year; meaning he would need to start to justify that salary

I think those 'attributes' significantly limits his market. A team would have to believe he could start and average 15-16 points while spreading the floor for their 'stars'. And that team would have to overlook his poor rebounding, mediocre passing, and average, at best, defense. All that while being willing to absorb 33M/year

and of course be willing to meet Cronin's alleged two-first-round-picks price. Meaning, Grant will probably still be a Blazer heading into the trade deadline in 2027

 

Jerami is a positive asset. I’ve been saying this since we traded for him. That is the whole reason we acquired him when we did was knowing when Dame inevitably dipped we would be able to get something for the price of JG.

 

That's your personal assessment of Grant. 30 teams aren't run the same way. The type of team that wants Grant would see him as a key team USA level contributor that could be a very nice starter and help on both offense and defense. A player that is versatile enough to slot in with many types of teammates, though not an elite player, but good on both ends.

 

Crazy the NBA has Emirates as a sponsor. Next thing will be the Saudi fund buying an expansion team.

 

First of all, Emirates and Saudi Arabia are different countries. Essentially, you are equating Mexico to the US.

Second, Saudis are heavily invested in a bunch of American business interests and I don't see the need to blow a dog whistle for every one.

One of the largest airlines in the world is sponsoring. So fucking what? Your xenophobia is unnecessary.

 

Oh dear. The USAB team is about to play games in Abu Dhabi. Next thing, they're gonna be training the Yemeni desert.

 

The Emirates logo was on the NBA refs shirt during the all star game and all the games after it.

 

yeah...that's my 'personal assessment'...followed by your personal assessment

 

As to Grant, my opinion is that no other team was going to offer him What Portland did. Again, as with Ant, Cronin negotiated against himself. Now it can be said that Portland has to add a premium to get players to want to be in a city most players would rather not be in. It can also be said that though illegal, Grant might have already had a new deal in place prior to the trade being consummated. This all being done prior to Dame demanding Miami. Once Dame demanded Miami the entire plan changed and a new direction was obvious with Cronin most likely caught in a no win situation. Can't back out on a promise to a player. So Jody approved the deal but told Joe to trade Grant for two FRP's. If he doesn't get them he probably loses his job. But who knows. The signing was not needed given the Dame situation.

 

28 year old Jerami Grant on a 20M expiring salary after averaging 22 points and 4.6 rebounds was traded for a TPE and a lightly protected 2025 first from Milwaukee that was almost certainly going to be in the 20's. Is 30 year old Grant on a 4 year deal of 33M/year really worth more draft consideration after averaging 21 points and 3.5 rebounds?

 

Expiring contract doesn't really garner much draft capital since he could just walk the next year. Grant is locked up for much longer on this contract so teams would be more willing to spend more if they think he's the missing piece.