Jerami Grant Named Grizzlies Player Who Should Be Traded

Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley picked Jerami Grant on Friday as the Memphis Grizzlies player who should be traded before February's deadline.

Buckley's list covered all 30 teams, one name each, ranging from stars to roster-fillers. For Memphis, he landed on the largest salary on the books.

Buckley's Memphis entry hinges on minutes for five young forwards.

"Hopefully, after 12 NBA seasons, Grant understands how to impart his hoops wisdom and veteran know-how in a hurry," Buckley wrote. "Because despite just arriving in Memphis this summer as part of the Ja Morant trade, Grant's stay could be of the abbreviated variety."

"Grant, a near-19-point scorer last season, still has something to give a win-now team, but Memphis isn't one of those," Buckley continued. "The Grizzlies could grow into that label over time, but doing so would require—among a number of other things—giving as many reps as possible to young forwards Jaylen Wells, Cameron Boozer, GG Jackson, Karim López and Taylor Hendricks."

Memphis sent Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers on June 29 for Grant and Kris Murray, a deal first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania.

Morant had spent seven seasons in Memphis after the Grizzlies drafted him second overall in 2019. The teams meet in Portland on Oct. 29, the fifth game of the Grizzlies' season.

Murray, 25, is making $5,315,004 this season and is set for restricted free agency next summer. Portland took him 23rd overall in 2023.

Grant is making $34,206,898 this season. His contract carries a $36,413,790 player option for 2027-28, the final year of the five-year, $160 million deal he signed with Portland.

No other Grizzly is set to earn more than $15 million. Isaiah Stewart is next at $15 million, followed by Brandon Clarke at $12.5 million and Boozer at $11,849,760.

Portland used Grant as a sixth man for most of last season. He averaged 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 45.3% from the field and 38.9% from 3-point range.

Grant topped 20 points per game twice in Portland and once in Detroit.

He came into the league as a second-round pick, 39th overall to Philadelphia out of Syracuse in 2014. Grant later played for Oklahoma City, Denver, Detroit, and Portland, making Memphis his sixth team in 13 seasons. He has also appeared in 40 playoff games.

"I'm enjoying it; definitely been welcomed, you know, by the people here," Grant said at Grizzlies media day on Sept. 30.

Heavy Sports' Sean Deveney had Memphis on a different timeline in an August report.

"One thing not expected: A trade of veteran forward Jerami Grant, who arrived from Portland in the Ja Morant trade and is under contract for $34 million this year, with a $36 million player option next year," Deveney wrote.

"The Grizzlies have no plans to trade Grant, at least not this year," Deveney added. "The hope is that he can provide a veteran presence for the wave of young players on the roster, and could be moved next year."

That veteran role comes on a roster with several young forwards competing for developmental minutes.

Boozer, the third pick in June's draft, won Naismith National Player of the Year in his lone season at Duke.

Hendricks arrived in Memphis on Feb. 3. He was part of the eight-player trade that sent Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah, with Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Georges Niang, and three future first-round picks coming back with him. John Konchar, Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr. went to Utah with Jackson.

Roundtable's James Piercey put together a list Thursday of five Grizzlies fighting for bigger roles in 2026-27.

Memphis finished last season 25-57. Tuomas Iisalo, who replaced Taylor Jenkins late in 2024-25, has a 29-62 record as coach.