Trade rumors became reality Wednesday afternoon for Portland Trail Blazers fans when the team acquired Jerami Grant from the Detroit Pistons for a 2025 first-round pick.
Portland is sending a 2025 pick that originally belong to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Blazers got that pick as part of the CJ McCollum trade to the New Orleans Pelicans that gave them Josh Hart, a trade exception, and a protected first-round pick. It would’ve gone to Portland if the Pelicans fell between No. 5 and No. 14 in the NBA draft lottery, but that didn’t happen once New Orleans made the playoffs.
Grant has long been rumored to be on Portland’s wish list dating back to the middle of last season. Grant, who was born in Portland, is a versatile forward that led the Pistons in scoring last season. The compensation Detroit sought for his services was largely a question mark until Wednesday.
Now, the Blazers have added Grant while still being set to pick at No. 7 in the draft tomorrow night. They could also trade that pick for another valuable starter. Portland has been connected to names like Toronto’s OG Anunoby and Atlanta’s John Collins.
However, the talk for today is centered around the Grant trade and early reactions on social media are calling it a steal for the Blazers and general manager Joe Cronin. Following the news of the deal, media members and fans in Portland and across the country had a lot to say about it.
THAT is all it took to get Jerami Grant????????
— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) June 22, 2022
YESTERDAY’S PRICE IS NOT TODAY’S PRICE
— Blazer Banter (@blazerbanter) June 22, 2022
If they re-sign their own FAs, Portland could roll out:
Jusuf Nurkic
Jerami Grant
Josh Hart
Anfernee Simons
Damian LillardPlus, whoever they add with their exceptions and at #7 or through other trades. Not a bad start to the retool for the Blazers.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 22, 2022
Oh look, the Blazers end up with Jerami Grant and they didn’t need the Pelicans pick or give up their pick this year.
Weird how that works huh?
Cronin making things happen. #ripcity https://t.co/6oeu6zmNgo
— Jason Peterson (@jpsperspective) June 22, 2022
Getting Jerami Grant without having to surrender this years pick is a fantastic deal for the Blazers. Grant, 28, is a high level two-way player. Now the Blazers have to hit on the No. 7 pick — or find a team willing to give a real asset for it.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 22, 2022
The lesson from the Jerami Grant is that rebuilding teams really shouldn’t get cute when it comes to trading vets. Detroit could’ve gotten more at the deadline or in 2021.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) June 22, 2022
OKC got a better return for the last pick in the draft than Detroit got for Jerami Grant.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) June 22, 2022
Getting Jerami Grant, who had long been tabbed as a Blazers target, without having to move No. 7 is pretty good business for Portland. Allows them to keep exploring options with that pick, and also lessens the pressure to chase a veteran by dangling it.
— Jeremy Woo (@JeremyWoo) June 22, 2022
Jerami Grant to Portland. That Nuggets-Blazers rivalry is alive and well.
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) June 22, 2022
– Aron Yohannes
