According to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is giving the team’s front office one week to make a significant move.
Haynes: Bron is giving FO a week. Lakers have had exploratory talks with Portland on Grant. I project they will make a significant move
— Ralph Mason (@Ralph_MasonJr) July 2, 2024
James opted out of his contract with the Lakers a few days back, but according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the league’s oldest player is expected to return to Los Angeles next season.
Just In: Los Angeles Lakers four-time champion LeBron James intends to opt out of his $51.4 million player option for next season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The expectation is James will return to the Lakers on a new deal. pic.twitter.com/wQAbSAwCQD
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2024
In addition, Anthony Irwin of Lakers Daily indicated the Lakers have been in contact with the Portland Trail Blazers regarding a trade that would send Jerami Grant to Los Angeles.
I’m told the Lakers and Trail Blazers have been in consistent talks on a deal for Jerami Grant. I wouldn’t call it particularly imminent but the sides have definitely been active most of today.
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) June 30, 2024
The Lakers have been relatively quiet since the start of free agency, though they did to terms with Max Christie on a four-year deal worth $32 million. But Grant stands out as a player who could be a positive presence for Los Angeles on the offensive side of the ball if the team were to acquire him in a trade.
Grant has emerged as a legitimate star during his stint with the Trail Blazers. In his two seasons in Portland, he has scored the ball at a high level from both inside and outside the 3-point arc.
Starting with inside the 3-point line, Grant has shot an efficient 49.8 percent on two-point field goals across 117 regular-season games played with the Trail Blazers. He has also proved himself capable of getting to the line often, as he has averaged 5.6 free-throw attempts per game in Portland and is shooting 81.5 percent from the charity stripe.
But Grant’s most valuable offensive skill might be his knack for scoring the ball from deep. With Portland, he has averaged 5.4 3-point attempts per contest and has knocked down an impressive 40.2 percent of his looks.
Whether the Lakers make a major move like Haynes predicted remains to be seen, but considering all that Grant provides from a scoring standpoint, perhaps Los Angeles acquiring the 30-year-old via trade would be big enough of a transaction to appease James.
