The Lakers may be watching the market like adding fuel to the fire, but no notable arrivals have so far been reported on the Los Angeles side. One of the main targets of the franchise also seems to be gradually slipping away from them, given the latest rumors about it!
At first, it was the track leading to Ben Simmons that took the lead in the wing, when the 76ers let it be known that they were not interested in Russell Westbrook. Then, in the last few hours, another Lakers target moved noticeably closer to another franchise. All that remains is the Jerami Grant file on which the fans can fall back, and on which Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report just made the point.
The Lakers, Trail Blazers, Knicks, Jazz, Wizards, Celtics, Pacers, Timberwolves and Kings have all expressed interest in the 27-year-old winger. The frenzy comes a year after Pistons GM Troy Weaver quickly cut short all inquiries about Grant’s availability. Sources say Detroit is now asking for two first-round picks or a first-round pick and a promising young player.
The Lakers badly embarked to recruit Jerami Grant
Holder of several future first-round picks, and a coveted nugget such as Talen Horton-Tucker, the Angelinos can a priori estimate that they have the necessary weapons to face the big competition for Grant. However, even if he will not have the privilege of making the final decision, the opinion of the Pistons player remains to be taken into account. And this one would not necessarily go in favor of LA, at least in appearance!
For any team to accept a trade for Grant, they will need to be certain that he will sign with them in the offseason. On the other hand, Grant has little interest in joining a new environment where he won’t be seen as a major offensive option, sources say.
With LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook already there, the 27-year-old winger will probably not be entitled to the role he covets at Purple & Gold.
All these signals therefore already suggest that possible negotiations with Detroit should be difficult to conclude for Rob Pelinka and his assistants. The latter are however not at the end of their sentence, since they would again present a significant delay on a rival team. According to Fischer’s report, it is indeed towards another team from the East that Grant has the best chance of heading!
Several league executives see Washington as the favorite team to get Grant back. He comes from the suburbs of DC, his father Harvey played for the franchise from 1988 to 1993, then a second time from 1996 to 1998. Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. also coached Grant as a assistant for the Nuggets.
Clearly, the Lakers do not seem able to attract the big names they covet as the trade deadline approaches. Jerami Grant is therefore added to the list, which is seriously beginning to thicken, much to the regret of LeBron James & Co.!
