The Portland Trail Blazers may have beaten the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night to improve on their respectable 3-5 record in the young 2024-25 season, but there’s no doubt the club is eyeing the draft lottery of the 2024 NBA, not about the playoffs. , for a fourth consecutive year.

Given that, it might behoove the team’s general manager Joe Cronin to explore trades for several, if not all, of his five most desirable veterans: center Deandre Ayton, $34 million, l Power forward Jerami Grant, $29.8 million, point guard Anfernee Simons, $25.9 million, $12.4 million. million-dollar backup center Robert Williams III and $11 million All-Defensive swingman Matisse Thybulle. Deni Avdija is the other intriguing trade asset in a veteran deal that could bring some value on the market, but since he was just acquired by Cronin for a major equity draft this summer, it seems unlikely that Cronin tries to move it.

Grant, in particular, has long been considered a major trade prospect, even though he made a rather generous deal.

Bleacher’s Grant Hughes Report writes that the 3-and-D power forward might just be the Minnesota Timberwolves’ dream trade target this season. The 6-foot-7 Syracuse product, 30, is averaging 18.3 points on .376/.338/.828 shooting splits, 4.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists (compared to 1, 8 turnovers), 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals per night for 33.5 minutes per night. , and would represent at least a significant defensive upgrade over current All-Star starter Julius Randle, although he’s not nearly the playmaker that Randle is.

“Thought exercise: What’s the best thing the Minnesota Timberwolves could turn into Julius Randle’s expiring $33 million salary (2025-26 player option)?” asks Hughes. “The answer might just be cap relief, but it’s hard to top Jerami Grant if you’re considering a trade. He’s on the books through 2027-28, which could be a problem for the already expensive Wolves , but Grant’s versatile defense and reliable three-point shooting (40.1 percent combined over the last two years) allow him to fit much better into Minnesota’s frontcourt rotation.

That said, Hughes explains why a deal for Grant might be unlikely for Minnesota.

“The Wolves are starved of picks and may need to involve a third team to make a Grant acquisition even semi-plausible,” Hughes writes.

Hughes counters that Philadelphia 76ers sharpshooter Jared McCain could be a long-term cap-raiser schemer for Minnesota, and could be added for backup wing Nickeil’s expiring $4.6 million contract Alexander-Walker, whose next salary could be too costly for the Timberwolves. bean counters.

More Trail Blazers: Portland Center considered a realistic trade for West Rival