The Portland Trail Blazers have been as expected through the first two weeks of the season. A solid defensive squad with questions on the offensive end. Fortunately, the Blazers have been able to keep the scoreboard ticking over with contributions from Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant.<\/p>\n
The latter, the hero of last night\u2019s dying seconds, is the focus of today\u2019s discussion. Through six games, the two-way forward has averaged 20.6 points on 41.6 percent shooting from three and 50.0 percent from the field. That last percentage has been particularly topical for the former Syracuse standout, who suffered through one of his worst offensive seasons in 2024-25.<\/p>\n
While the 31-year-old still managed to contribute on the defensive side of the ball, his lack of offensive punch combined with the size of his five-year, $160 million deal, made many frustrated.<\/p>\n
And for good reason. Grant averaged 14.4 points per game, on 37.3 percent from the field, only second lowest since his rookie year with the Philadelphia 76ers. His 1.05 points per shot attempt was the second lowest of his career (146th among bigs last season) and 46.7 percent effective field goal percentage was the third lowest of his career (151st among bigs). Even his 36.5 percent three-point rate was the lowest he\u2019d achieved in Portland (97th among bigs).<\/p>\n
I can only guess but the slump was also vexing for the Portland front office, which may or may not have been trying to move the veteran for positive assets. Grant himself thought he might <\/a>be in different colors come the start of the season.<\/p>\n For someone who might have been worthy of a good first-round pick and positive young players in a trade, his deal became neutral at best following last season. Many called for the Blazers to move him regardless of the cost, some labeled him washed while others even suggested his remaining $102 million be bought out.<\/p>\n Though his form was concerning, I was confident in it being temporary, as I discussed in multiple columns on Blazer\u2019s Edge this year.<\/p>\n \u201cI have every confidence in the forward rediscovering his form.\u201d – February 2<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI might be in the minority but while last season was objectively bad, Grant is still in his prime. There\u2019s nothing stopping him from rediscovering a role as reliable scorer and above-average defender. Trade value shouldn\u2019t dip that severely after one ordinary season when you consider his full body of work.\u201d – June 15<\/a><\/p>\n