NBA Rumors: Anfernee Simons or Jerami Grant Trade 'Definitely the Goal' for Blazers

Trading away guard Anfernee Simons or forward Jerami Grant before training camp is "definitely the goal" for the Portland Trail Blazers, according to Aaron Fentress of the Oregonian.

"Both being gone, that might be different," he said during an appearance on The Drive Guys on Sactown Sports 1140. "They obviously have time. They can wait to the trade deadline and see if someone else will offer more."

Fentress added that Simons has "got to go at some point soon," citing the presence of guards Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. While Simons is still only 25, he doesn't appear to be a long-term piece for the Blazers amid their ongoing rebuild.

On Grant, Fentress said the situation differs because he isn't standing in the way of another young forward who projects as a major contributor down the line. The 30-year-old will probably relish a change of scenery sooner or later, though, with Portland going nowhere for the time being.

Fentress believes both Grant and Simons "will be gone by next summer."

The Athletic's Jovan Buha reported last Thursday on his podcast the Los Angeles Lakers continue to show interest in Grant but aren't willing to part with the two first-round picks Portland is seeking for the 6'7" forward.

Grant continued to perform well in 2023-24. He averaged 21.0 points on 45.1 percent shooting, including 40.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Still, it seems fairly clear at this point Grant isn't suited to play a starring role on a contending team. His last four years with the Blazers and Detroit Pistons provide plenty of evidence backing up that idea.

And even with the salary cap increasing, the $132.4 million he's owed over the next four seasons hurts his trade value further because the more punitive luxury tax is forcing teams to be financially conservative.

The concerns are somewhat similar with Simons in that he's an undersized guard (6'3") whose individual contributions as a starter haven't done much to make Portland a winning team.

There's a financial component as well. His scoring and three-point shooting (38.6 percent for his career) make him an attractive target, but interested suitors might be looking ahead to his free agency in 2026.

The trouble for the Blazers with both Grant and Simons is that everyone can see neither likely has much of a future in Portland past their current contracts. The front office can only hold out for so long before it has to settle for the best offer on the table.