Lakers interested in Jerami Grant and Malcolm Brogdon
The Lakers are 27-25 this season and could be active at the trade deadline. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been available all season and are playing at a high level.
LA has been inconsistent despite the star duo being healthy for most of the season. Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant could be a great fit as a two-way player. The 29-year-old forward is averaging 21/4/3 on 46/40/81 shooting splits.
Grant can create his own shot and spot up from three on the offensive end of the floor. On defense, Grant can guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player, whether it’s a guard or a forward.
The Lakers are reportedly interested in the following players:
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) January 19, 2024
Bruce Brown
Jerami Grant
Terry Rozier
Gary Trent Jr.
Dorian Finney-Smith
Royce O'Neale
(Via @jovanbuha)
While Grant would be an ideal fit, he is on a costly contract. Grant signed a five-year $160 million deal in the offseason, earning him an average of $32 million annually.
The Lakers would have to include two rotational players and draft capital to make a competitive offer for Grant. Given Grant’s contract, it’s unlikely for the Purple and Gold to acquire him.
Malcolm Brogdon is the other Blazer who the LakeShow has been interested in. He could be an impactful combo guard and fit well around James and Davis.
Brogdon is having a good season for the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 16/4/6 on 44/41/82 shooting splits. His elite shooting would space the floor well for a Lakers team that has struggled from behind the arc.
The Lakers view trades in which they move Russell for players like Portland’s Malcolm Brogdon, Washington’s Tyus Jones or Brooklyn’s Spencer Dinwiddie as lateral moves at best, and most likely downgrades, according to team sources.
— The Laker Files (@LakerFiles) January 26, 2024
Murray is an exception. (@jovanbuha) pic.twitter.com/oN4KQF8Nyc
Brogdon has shown he can be a quality defender during his time with the Milwaukee Bucks. He hasn’t been the same-level defender in recent years, which would be a concern.
A trade for Brogdon seems unlikely. LA views it as a “lateral move,” with Russell, Reaves, or Hachimura being the contract they would have use to acquire Brogdon.
While he is a quality guard, his two-year $45 million contract is too much for the Lakers to match and be a good deal.
Although Grant and Brogdon would be good fits on paper, their contracts make the path to acquire them challenging and not worthwhile.
With the Lakers on a three-game winning streak, it doesn't make sense to pursue Grant or Brogdon. Rob Pelinka and the front office should find alternative moves to add depth to the bench.