The Los Angeles Lakers have not yet made any trades or signed free agents this offseason, but that might change soon. On the latest episode of The Lowe Post podcast, NBA insider Zach Lowe hinted that it could be time to start making Jerami Grant-Lakers jerseys.
“There’s been a lot of focus on Klay (Thompson) and the Clippers and always the Lakers,” Lowe said. “Should we start printing the Jerami Grant-Lakers jerseys? Should we just do it now? … I might order one.”
Grant would be an intriguing addition to the Lakers. Despite the Portland Trail Blazers ending the 2023-24 season with a dismal 21-61 record, Grant wasn’t to blame. The 30-year-old averaged 21.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game, shooting 40.2% from three-point range.
Grant’s skill set would complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis well, which is why he’s been linked to the Lakers for some time. According to Trail Blazers insider Danny Marang, the Lakers almost acquired him earlier this offseason.
Marang reported that Klutch Sports, representing Grant, wanted to finalize a deal, and Lakers GM Rob Pelinka initially agreed to the asking price of two first-round picks. However, Pelinka hesitated at the last moment, and understandably so.
Grant is a talented player, but two first-round picks might be too high a price. His addition would improve the Lakers, who finished last season with a 47-35 record, but they still wouldn’t be top contenders. Giving up two valuable draft picks might not be ideal if another move is needed to become serious title contenders.
The problem for the Lakers is the lack of good players available for trade. Grant might be the best option, and they might eventually have to make the deal.
Lakers fans have been eager for a trade, but there’s a reason for the delay. According to team insider Jovan Buha, many Lakers players have negative trade value across the NBA.
“D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura, they have somewhere between neutral to negative trade value across the league,” said Buha. “Certain teams have interest in maybe one of those guys, but very few, if any, have interest in multiple of them. That’s why the Lakers have not been able to find a deal.”
It’s surprising that Rui Hachimura doesn’t have positive trade value, but not the others. Russell has underperformed in the postseason, Vanderbilt’s offensive contributions are minimal, and Gabe Vincent was injured for much of last season. The draft picks are the Lakers’ most desired assets, aside from their stars and Austin Reaves, but the front office is hesitant to trade them.