Instead of languishing with a rebuilding team like the Portland Trail Blazers, Jerami Grant can contribute for a contender like the Milwaukee Bucks. The thing is, the franchise may have to send All-Star wing Khris Middleton, as seen in an intriguing trade proposal that will involve two other teams.
Grant was selected in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He spent his first two NBA seasons with the 76ers, emerging as a solid two-way player who could block shots and score around the rim. In 2016, He was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he continued to develop his game over the next three seasons. He became a reliable bench contributor, showcasing his athleticism and improving his perimeter shooting.
In 2019, Grant was traded to the Denver Nuggets, where he had a breakout year, averaging a career-high 12.0 points per game. He played a key role in the Nuggets’ playoff run, helping them upset the heavily favored Los Angeles Clippers in the second round. The forward’s strong performance earned him a three-year, $60 million contract with the Detroit Pistons in 2020.
With the rebuilding Pistons, Grant blossomed into an offensive focal point, averaging a career-best 22.3 points per game in the 2020-21 season. He was a finalist for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. However, a thumb injury limited the forward’s 2021-22 campaign. In the summer of 2022, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, where he looks to continue his upward trajectory as a two-way wing player with the potential to be an All-Star.
Milwaukee Bucks Swap Khris Middleton For Jerami Grant in Intriguing Three-Team Trade Idea
There’s no denying Grant can bring a lot of value to any team he’s playing for. In an article by Greg Swartz for Bleacher Report, there’s a hypothetical scenario that will move him to Milwaukee and Middleton to the Golden State Warriors, while Portland will get Andrew Wiggins and Moses Moody.
“Khris Middleton is a better all-around player than Jerami Grant, but he’s also struggled to stay healthy in recent years and had arthroscopic surgeries on both ankles this offseason. If the Bucks have any hesitations about Middleton’s ability to stay on the court, swapping him for Grant (who’s also two years younger) makes sense.
A starting five of Damian Lillard, Gary Trent Jr., Grant, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez would remain one of the best in the East, as Grant averaged 21.0 points and made 40.2 percent of his threes last season. Lillard and Grant already carry a year of experience together from their 2022-23 season with the Blazers,” Swartz wrote.
Unlike Middleton, Grant has a better chance of staying healthy throughout an entire regular season. And since he won’t be the focal point on offense, fans can expect a better performance on the defensive end for the Trail Blazers star.
At this point in time, there’s no news yet whether this trade will become a reality. If it does, expect the Bucks to make a run towards another ring with Grant in the lineup.
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