On Tuesday, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that former Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant is a player on the Bucks' radar (subscription required). You might be wondering why Milwaukee is even thinking about a trade for Grant, but it's because, as of right now, the Bucks are trying to be buyers before the deadline, as Eric Nehm of The Athletic first reported.
Grant has been in Portland since the 2022 trade with Detroit. A year later, the Trail Blazers signed him to a five-year, $160 million contract. He is signed through the 2027-28 season, with a $36.4 million player option he should exercise.
Due to the decision to overpay Grant, Portland has been unable to trade him. You would think that the Trail Blazers would be happy to capitalize on Milwaukee's desperation in a Grant trade. However, Fischer added that "it remains to be seen" if the organization would trade him because he's "emerged as a favorite of Trail Blazers manager Joe Cronin."
Bucks rumored to be interested in trading for Jerami Grant
Grant, who is 31, averaged only 14.4 points (down from 21), 3.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game last season in Portland, shooting 37.3% from the field and 36.5% from three in 47 contests. He started this season on a tear, but he's since come back to Earth. Grant is still averaging 20 points per game on 43.8% shooting from the field and 39.5% from deep, though.
His contract looks better than it did last season — that's for sure. Grant is by no means a bad player, but when it comes to today's NBA world dominated by the CBA, teams are understandably concerned about taking on a deal like that for a player of his caliber.
Given Milwaukee's lack of draft assets, the only way it can try to "upgrade" is by taking on a bad contract from another team. Is that something the Bucks should do? No, but they'll do whatever it takes to try to make Giannis happy, except winning games, of course.
Detroit may not be active at the trade deadline, but as always, rumors will swirl. While fans are trying to decipher what's real and what's not, Grant to Milwaukee rumors could start heating up, that is, if Giannis doesn't request a trade first. Maybe Grant will return to the East for the first time since he suited up for the Pistons.