Anonymous NBA executive skeptical about LA Lakers fitting with Blazers forward amid D'Angelo Russell buzz

With D'Angelo Russell's future with the LA Lakers in jeopardy, the team seems to have set its eyes on a new trade target, Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, for next season. However, not everyone thinks the two-way forward could fit in with the current squad.

Yahoo! Sports' Jake Fischer reported that the Blazers are looking to shop Grant and the Lakers are one team that has been linked to the player. The forward has shown promise and has proven that he can play alongside stars.

However, an anonymous league executive doesn't think that Grant's brand of play fits well with the Lakers. Sean Deveney of Heavy.com shared the report regarding the plans of trading for the Blazers forward.

"If they get Grant, I am not sure they are that much better as a team," an anonymous NBA exec said, via Deveney. "It’s a bad contract. He’s a good shooter but he is not a very good defender. I am not sure he is that much better than Rui (Hachimura), so if you’re giving up Rui and a draft pick?

"I can’t see making that move. It’s making a trade just for the sake of making a trade, and that’s always unwise."

Grant spent the last two seasons with the Blazers, averaging 20.7 points per game. During the 2023-24 NBA season, the two-way forward played 54 games and averaged 21.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He also knocked down 40.2% of his shots from beyond the arc.

The Lakers have searched for their third option for some time, and Grant could be the player they're looking for.

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The LA Lakers could target Wizards big man next season

The LA Lakers haven't made any major moves to improve their roster for next season. Most teams have made moves to add and upgrade their squad, but the Lakers seem to have struggled in that regard. But it's never too late as they can still make trades in the middle of the next season to address their concern.

One player who has been linked to them, aside from Grant, is Jonas Valanciunas of the Washington Wizards. Deveney reported about a potential trade for the Lakers and the Lithuanian big man.

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"The Lakers have been most frequently connected with Valanciunas, but L.A. has also been reluctant to give up either of its tradeable draft picks. If and when Valanciunas hits the market, there figures to be ample competition. He is, after all, a legitimate 6-foot-11 center who averaged 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds last year," Deveney wrote.

However, other teams like the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks have also been targeting Valanciunas.

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