Following the trade of Damian Lillard, the Trail Blazers are expected to immediately begin listening to trade inquires on newly acquired guard Jrue Holiday. However, he may not be the only notable veteran on the roster who is on the trade block in advance of this February’s deadline.
Rival league executives who spoke to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype anticipate that Jerami Grant will also be available via trade in the not-too-distant future. Due to the terms of the new contract he signed with Portland in July, Grant won’t become trade-eligible until January 15, so if he’s going to be moved this season, it would have to happen between Jan. 15 and Feb. 8, this year’s trade deadline.
Grant’s five-year, $160MM contract would represent a significant cap commitment for any team interested in acquiring him, but his two-way contributions would make him an on-court fit for virtually any contender.
“Grant could be the missing piece for a contending team the way Denver got Bruce Brown and Aaron Gordon,” one NBA scout told Scotto. “Maybe a team like Miami could take a swing if they’re still a player away.”
Here are a few more highlights from Scotto’s latest rumor round-up:
- Moving Jusuf Nurkic, who has three years and $54MM+ left on his contract, was a goal for the Trail Blazers in any Lillard trade, but there’s a belief that a fresh start in Phoenix, where he’ll anchor Frank Vogel‘s defensive scheme for the Suns, could help rejuvenate him, writes Scotto. “Before Nurkic got injured, he was a good defensive center and was Portland’s second-best player ahead of CJ McCollum for a short time,” a scout told HoopsHype. “I think it might be asking too much of him to return to his pre-injury form, but he can help them if he’s properly motivated and healthy with dribble handoffs and as a positional defender.”
- League sources tell Scotto that the Bucks and Heat are among the teams to watch for free agent point guard Cameron Payne. Milwaukee, with no clear backup point guard, was previously identified as a clear fit for Payne after the Lillard trade opened up a roster spot. Miami also doesn’t have much depth at the point after losing Gabe Vincent this summer.
- Free agent wing Jaylen Nowell recently worked out for the Kings, sources tell Scotto. Nowell is one of the most noteworthy members of this year’s free agent class who remains unsigned, while Sacramento has just 14 players on guaranteed contracts, leaving one open spot on the team’s projected regular season roster.
I’m sorry but nurkic is not a good defender. He is big & slow and can only play 1 coverage(drop). The only benefit though is he can guard jokic a bit on the block.
Nurkic was good defender before injuries. Still has the instincts and size. Plus on terrible teams last couple years. KD underrated defender will help cover the weak side.
Vogel is a “center whisperer”. Got the most out of Hibbert in Indiana as traditional 5’s were being phased out of NBA. Vogel won a ring with JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard. Both had their best non prime seasons under Vogel.
Suns have 3 issues.
1. Can the team stay healthy? KD, Nurkic, Beal, Gordon all injury prone.
2 Depth. FO addressed this with multiple players but no depth chart yet. Vogel has to figure that out. At least they have depth. That’s Denver’s achilles heal.
3 Meshing. New HC, no continuity on roster, and 3 players with high usage rates. Suns are like FIBA Team USA rosters. Throwing talent together and hoping for the best.
For a big man Nurkic has some of the best footwork I’ve seen in 65 years of attending NBA games in person. His issue, other than injuries has been a lack of motivation at times. But the years toll on, believe you me, and while Nurkic is barely 29 … well … both he and Ayton are at least somewhat enigmatic. Both could get rejuvenated, but both could continue being enigmas.
I can’t agree on his footwork but he was a very good defender before the injuries. I think he’ll be motivated after couple seasons on team with no real aspirations.
Billups has his work cut out with Ayton but the fresh scene is healthy for him. Scoot will get him a lot of touches on offense, hope that motivates him to play defense.
He had great footwork 6 years Ago before multiple injuries. Now he’s just a stiff cat turd that will break an ankle everytime he turns his body
Honestly, if the Celtics don’t make this trade, what are they doing?
They are the most obvious destination. They already made a big move, can’t stop now.
Jrue for Brogdon, Time Lord, and 2 FRPs. Maybe you’re involving a 3rd team to send either player elsewhere for more draft comp or expiring pieces. Like the Clippers, who only have 1 first to trade and had interest in Brogdon.
I know Philly wants him. I can make a trade that works for everyone. But, at the end of the day does Jrue, Maxey, Tsunami, Tobias and Embiid win it all? Not sure it’s enough.
Also it may complicate their offseason. Jrue will opt out, seek a LT deal. Unless the Sixers think he is a solution LT and want to commit 30M for 3 or 4 years, then it’s not an issue, but otherwise they will need to renounce him to go after other FAs or do some sort of S&T.
Brogdon hard to trade with the injury history and owed 45m over next 2 years. The Celtics tried to move him, He’s a good player but someone has to take a chance on him. He doesn’t make sense for the Blazers unless Boston sends 3 FRP’s with him and find a 3rd team to take Brogdon.
Will Brad Stevens give up 3 FRP’s to move Brogdon for Holiday?
In the end I think Blazers get better offers for Holiday and Brad Stevens wants to keep his FRPs.
The Celtics only want picks and SFs. That’s it. I agree though this would be a great trade for them. Brogdon, Walsh and Hausier with picks for Holiday
I might be in the minority here, but while I think Jrue is great, I personally don’t think he’s that much of an upgrade over Brogdon to warrant also giving up TimeLord (on a very team friendly contract) and 2 FRP, especially considering Jrue will want a rich long-term contract on a team that already will be financially strained with JT, JB, and KP.
Career numbers:
Jrue: 16.4/6.5/4.1 on .462/.366/.783
Malcolm: 15.4/4.6/4.2 on .467/.388/.879
I get those #s don’t capture that Jrue has played more games / is healthier and is a better defender. I’m also not saying he’s in a one-on-one comparison not better than Brogdon. I just don’t want to give up TL and 2 FRP in addition. Also, loved what Brogdon did in terms of attacking the paint and efficient shooting and like having some big man insurance with an injury-prone KP and aging Al Horford.
I wouldn’t give up The Time Lord, but swap him out for Horford. I know Portland isn’t necessarily looking for an old big but if it gets them more picks? If they can’t turn around and flip Horford he would be a great mentor for Ayton, it’s not his contract is all that onerous.
Money don’t work
Boston is not trading r williams they will offer probably turned down brogdon,pritchard local kid from oregon,draft rts. Yam madar euroleague rising star award winner this year and 2 1st. Rd pks there own and golden states this year and then portland gets to shop brogdon for more assets