According to SNY's Ian Begley, the Dallas Mavericks are one of several teams that have “reached out” to Portland Trail Blazers forward Jeremy Grant.
Grant appeared in just 54 games in the 2023-24 season, averaging 21.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and shooting 40.2% from three-point range.
The 30-year-old Grant signed a $160 million contract to return to Portland last summer, but his departure seemed inevitable days later when Damian Lillard asked for a trade shortly after Grant and the Trail Blazers agreed to terms that dramatically altered the team's short-term trajectory.
Lillard's wish ultimately came true, as the team finished its first year of the rebuild with a 21-61 record.
Given how far Portland is from championship contention, Grant is expected to be available if the right offer comes in. He's better suited as a secondary scorer on a playoff-bound team, and his skill set should be in demand with the franchise at that position.
The Athletic's Danny Leroux also wrote in December that Grant's contract, while obviously high-paying at the time, likely won't be as taxing in a few years' time due to the NBA's rising salary cap. Grant's average salary of $33 million over the next four seasons may be more appealing to general managers than paying a similar or slightly better forward in free agency, such as Pascal Siakam, who just signed a four-year, $189.5 million contract with the Indiana Pacers.
Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer called him the “ideal player” for the Mavs as they look to improve their team following their NBA Finals appearance.
“Imagine a player with Grant's scoring prowess receiving kick-out passes from Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving rather than Maxi Kleber,” O'Connor wrote. “Grant would have more open shooting opportunities than ever before, and his handling ability would also take some of the pressure off Luka and Kyrie.”
If the Blazers make Grant a trade target, Dallas would likely face stiff competition to acquire him.
