Lakers insider thinks D'Angelo Russell could remain in L.A. if team trades for Jerami Grant
D'Angelo Russell has seen his name tossed around the rumor mill as of late and the LA Laker is now being linked to a possible Jerami Grant trade, per a report from FanSided.
The Portland Trailblazers are expected to shop their veteran forward during the remainder of the summer and the Lakers have emerged as a potential suitor. Grant could be the answer to their search for a third star to pair with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Lakers reporter Jovan Buha of The Athletic touched on the subject of a Russell-Grant trade on his YouTube series, "Lakers Mailbag."
"I think if the Lakers do make the Jerami Grant trade, I think it is potentially worth keeping D'Angelo Russell closer to the trade deadline and seeing what that looks like. In that scenario, you have gone for it with [Rui Hachimura] and [Gabe Vincent] for Jerami Grant and now you're seeing, like 'How does this work?'" (11:35)
Buhan also noted that Grant would have to readapt to his duties as a role player, from boxing out to hustling in transition after Grant has run the show in Portland over the last several seasons without contributing to a winning culture.
Why Jerami Grant would fit alongside D'Angelo Russell, LeBron James and Anthony Davis
Over the last four seasons, Jerami Grant's career path has changed from a role player on a contending team to the leading option for a lottery team. Grant increased his scoring output from 12.0 points per game in 2019-20 up to 22.3 points per game in 2020-21 after leaving Denver for Detroit.
After two seasons in Detroit, Grant was shipped to Portland where he continued his scoring streak, averaging 20.7 points over the last two seasons.
Buhan noted that Grant has stepped away from a defensive-minded role, decreasing his defensive win-shares from 3.3 in 2019 down to 1.0 in each of the last two seasons in Portland. Grant has shown the ability to give the Lakers what they lack offensively, consistent and efficient scoring from someone not named LeBron James or Anthony Davis.
In Portland, Grant shot 46 percent from the field across his two seasons as a Trailblazer while adapting a reliable three-point shot, connecting on 2.2 of his 5.4 attempts per night.
Adding Grant would give the Lakers a reliable three-point target who can step up as a number-two option behind Anthony Davis as LeBron James enters his 22nd NBA season. James can finish up his career as the Lakers' point guard while saving his scoring output for the postseason.