Jerami Grant has been a revelation for the Portland Trail Blazers through the franchise’s fist 13 games of the season.
Heralded as Portland big offseason addition, Grant was dealt from the Detroit Pistons to the Blazers just before free agency in return for a future Milwaukee Bucks first-round picks and a couple of second rounders.
Portland was able to add Grant for such an arguably low price thanks to the $20 million trade exception generated by the CJ McCollum trade with the New Orleans Pelicans four months earlier.
The Athletic’s Jason Quick has highlighted the steps (subscription required) that led to Grant’s arrival in Portland, namely the relationship he formed with Blazers star Damian Lillard while competing for Team USA during the 2021 Olympics.