Lakers' Chances of Trading for West All-Star Just Took an Even Bigger Hit

As international basketball takes centerstage at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles Lakers fans are wondering if their team is finished making offseason moves. Despite an embarrassing postseason exit this spring, the Lakers have been one of the quietest teams this offseason and haven't done anything outside of signing this year's rookie class.

Despite the lack of moves, the Lakers have still been connected to a few big names on the trade market — including the Portland Trail Blazers' Jerami Grant. The veteran forward would look great playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, leaving the fanbase to beg general manager Rob Pelinka to pull the trigger before it's too late.

But while the Lakers might like Grant a whole lot, the latest reports emerging from L.A. aren't exactly leaning in the franchise's favor.

Lakers Trade Rumors: Does LA Have Pieces to Land Jerami Grant?

If the Lakers are to land Grant, D'Angelo Russell — who opted into his $18.6 million player option this offseason — is one of the likelier candidates to be sent to Portland. Unfortunately, The Athletic's Jovan Buha doesn't believe that the Trail Blazers are too keen on bringing in the veteran guard.

"I’ve heard Portland doesn’t want D-Lo because they have a million guards anyway," Buha said on Saturday's edition of his podcast (h/t Heavy's Alder Almo). "It just doesn’t really make sense for them.”

As much as Lakers fans would love to move Russell for Grant, Buha does have a point. With the likes of Scott Henderson and Anfernee Simons set to lead the backcourt for years to come, it doesn't make a tone of sense to add a one-year rental like Russell.

Things might be different if Russell had more of a complete 2023-24 campaign. The former Ohio State Buckeye was one of the Lakers' best players last regular season, averaging 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 3.0 threes made with .456/.415/.828 shooting splits.

Unfortunately, Russell couldn't bring that same level of success into the postseason. He disappeared on both sides of the court during Los Angeles' first-round series against Denver. By the time the Lakers were eliminated, the veteran PG had only put up 14.2 PTS/.4.2 AST/.2.8 REB while shooting 38.4% from the floor and 31.8% from deep.

Meanwhile, Grant is the type of big-game player that could vault the Lakers into the championship conversation. The 30-year-old forward was one of the Trail Blazers' biggest threats as he averaged 21.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists across 54 games. He also shot 45.1% from the field and a career-best 40.2% from the three-point line.

Earlier this month, Lakers insider Sean Highkin reported that Portland was looking to receive two first-round picks from Los Angeles in exchange for Grant. Considering how the Lakers only have two first-rounders that they can move (2029, 2031), it isn't shocking to know that Highkin claims the team isn't willing to pay that price.

Barring any changes, the Lakers might have to look for another target.

If Grant was in the middle of his prime and slightly younger, the Lakers might be willing to pay that price. However, with LeBron nearing retirement and Davis entering the later stages of his career, GM Pelinka is more unlikely to unload a pair of first-round picks on a 30-year-old who's still owed an average of $31.9 million across the next three seasons with a $36.4 million 2017-28 player option.

Whether it's adding Grant or another All-Star-caliber player, let's hope the Lakers can figure out a way to make a substantial move before it's too late. Time is ticking as Los Angeles is currently tied for the ninth-best 2024-25 NBA Finals odds on FanDuel Sportsbook.

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