Lakers Reportedly Priced Out of Top Trade Target

Lakers fans are growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of action by Rob Pelinka and the front office. Los Angeles remains the only team not to sign anyone in free agency or make a trade this offseason. They have missed out on their several top targets so far and it looks like they are about to get priced out of another one.

According to Blazers insider Sean Highkin, Portland and the Lakers have been in talks about a potential Jerami Grant trade. However, the Blazers are reportedly asking for two first-round picks and the Lakers are refusing to meet that price.

Lakers Reportedly Not Meeting Portland's Asking Price for Jerami Grant

Jerami Grant is a very good role player. However, he is still a role player. He is best suited to be a fourth option on a championship-caliber team and he is unlikely to catapult the Lakers to contender status. Giving up two first-round picks to pay Grant $30 million for next year, and over $30 million for the three years after that would not be a smart decision.

The Lakers can only trade two first-round picks; their 2029 and 2031 draft picks. Those two assets are their most valuable trade chips in negotiations. They are looking to attach them next to the salaries of D'Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent to upgrade their roster. They need to aim higher than Jerami Grant if they really want to surround LeBron James with enough talent to contend.

If the Lakers can get Grant using one first-round pick and use the other on another starting-caliber player, then they can talk themselves into being a contender. The worst thing Pelinka can do right now is to panic and meet the Blazers' asking price. There have to be better options out there on the trade market than going all-in for 30-year-old Jerami Grant on a player-friendly contract.

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