DEAL AGREED: Lakers GM Rob Pelinka Reveals Lakers Are Just a Step Away From Signing West All-Star In a Massive Deal Worth $175M

As international basketball takes centre stage at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles Lakers fans question if the team’s summer manoeuvres are complete. Despite an ugly postseason exit last spring, the Lakers have been one of the quietest clubs this offseason, doing nothing but signing this year’s rookies.

Despite the absence of movements, the Lakers have been linked to a few notable names on the trade market, including Portland Trail Blazers’ Jerami Grant. The veteran forward would look fantastic alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, prompting fans to ask general manager Rob Pelinka to sign him before it’s too late.

However, while the Lakers may adore Grant, the most recent reports out of Los Angeles do not bode well for the team.

Lakers Trade Rumours: Does LA Have Pieces for Jerami Grant?

If the Lakers sign Grant, D’Angelo Russell, who exercised his $18.6 million player option this offseason, is a likely candidate to be transferred to Portland. Unfortunately, The Athletic’s Jovan Buha does not believe the Trail Blazers are interested in signing the veteran guard.

“I’ve heard Portland doesn’t want D-Lo because they have a million guards anyway,” Buha stated on his show on Saturday (h/t Heavy’s Alder Almo). “It just doesn’t really make sense for them.”
As much as Lakers fans would love to trade Russell for Grant, Buha has a point. With players like Scott Henderson and Anfernee Simons poised to lead the backcourt for years to come, adding a one-year rental like Russell makes little sense.

Things might be different if Russell had a more comprehensive 2023-24 season. The former Ohio State Buckeye was one of the Lakers’ finest players last season, averaging 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 3.0 three-pointers with.456/.415/.828 shooting percentages.

Unfortunately, Russell was unable to replicate his performance in the postseason. He vanished on both sides of the floor during Los Angeles’ first-round series with Denver. By the time the Lakers were eliminated, the veteran point guard had only 14.2 points,.4.2 assists, and.2.8 rebounds while shooting 38.4% from the field and 31.8% from deep.

Meanwhile, Grant is the type of big-game player who can propel the Lakers into championship contention. The 30-year-old forward was one of the Trail Blazers’ top threats, averaging 21.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 54 games. He also shot 45.1% from the field and a career-high 40.2% from beyond the arc.

Earlier this month, Lakers source Sean Highkin stated that Portland was seeking two first-round picks from Los Angeles in exchange for Grant. Given that the Lakers only have two first-round picks to trade (2029, 2031), it’s not surprising that Highkin thinks the franchise is unwilling to pay that amount.

Without any adjustments, the Lakers may have to hunt for another target.

If Grant were in his peak and slightly younger, the Lakers could be ready to pay the price. However, with LeBron nearing retirement and Davis entering the latter stages of his career, GM Pelinka is less inclined to trade a pair of first-round selections for a 30-year-old who is still owing an average of $31.9 million over the next three seasons, with a $36.4 million player option for 2017-28.

Whether it’s adding Grant or another All-Star, let’s hope the Lakers can make a significant move before it’s too late. Time is running out as Los Angeles is currently tied for ninth-best 2024-25 NBA Finals chances on FanDuel Sportsbook.