By Jordan Long
The NBA Draft is tonight, beginning at 6 PM Mountain Time. The Portland Trail Blazers made a trade with the Detroit Pistons in hopes of improving their team.
Portland has one of the best shooters in the game in Damian Lillard. Lillard has been in Portland since they drafted him in 2012. Frustrated with the franchise since they haven’t built a championship team around him, there was even talk of him wanting out this offseason to increase his chance to win a ring.
Portland though may have added a player who can help Lillard earn a playoff spot next season, Jerami Grant. Portland traded the #36 pick in this year’s draft as well as a first-round pick in 2025. The Pistons not only received Jerami Grant but the #46 overall selection in tonight’s Draft.
Grant brings in 9 years of NBA experience. Portland will be his 4th team. Last year for the Pistons, Grant scored 19.2 points and grabbed 4.1 rebounds per game. The points led the team. His field goal percentage ended at 42.6%. He can also hit 3 pointers. His 3-point percentage this past year was 35.8%.
On defense, Grant defends his player. Those end up in tough looks at the basket. There are times when he forces the player he is guarding to pass up the ball. Those may be passes that go out of bounds or steal opportunities for his teammates which start fast breaks. When teams go inside, they have to be aware of where Grant is because he can block shots averaging 1 per game this past season.
Grant also gives Portland a player who has NBA playoff experience. In his career, Grant appeared in 35 playoff games, scoring 10.5 points per game.
This is a smart move by the Pistons. They are rebuilding and gave Grant the best chance to win. With this move, Lillard won’t have to do it all on the offensive end. Teams must key on both Grant and Lillard. If they don’t one will be wide open for either a 3 or an easy look at the basket which could extend Portland’s lead.
This could be a one year experiment for Portland. Grant is going to be a free agent after next season. Playing well for Portland might lead to a long-term extension. The worst case it doesn’t work out and Portland lets him test free agency
Portland knows there is more work to be done as they look to improve on their 27-55 record. Once the NBA draft is completed tonight, free agency is next. Portland is going to look at areas to make this team even better. Trading for Grant was just a start as they anticipate earning a playoff spot in 2023.
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