Anyone who has had the pleasure (or pain) of watching the Kings this season can see the Achilles heel of the team is a lack of defense and spotty shooting. It’s no secret that when our three-pointers aren’t failing, we’re not just destined to lose, we practically gift-wrap the victory for the opposing team. In our losses this year, the Kings have been shooting threes with just 31% accuracy and our overall score stands at a dismal -250 for the year, averaging a cringe-worthy -16.7 points per loss. So, what’s the solution? Well, it boils down to one word: consistency. If we’re going to worship at the altar of the three-pointer, we need players who can hit the mark.
Enter stage right: Jerami Grant. At 29 and under a long-term contract for the next five years, is an investment worth considering for the Kings. He may not be the perfect fit for our roster, but he’s certainly a darn good option. His $32 million per year contract might be slightly above the market value, but for a forward with his defensive versatility, it’s a deal the Kings can live with.
In contrast to Pascal Siakam, who’s frequently mentioned in trade rumors, Grant isn’t playing for his next contract – he’s already secured his bag. This could potentially make Grant more willing to embrace a supporting role within the Kings’ lineup. Both players would likely need to be comfortable with being the 3rd or even 4th banana in the offensive hierarchy. Siakam’s current pursuit of his next substantial contract, possibly exceeding $50 million per year, could force the Kings into tax territory. This is a move that ownership hasn’t had to make since the Chris Webber era. At 29 years old, does Siakam warrant such a significant financial commitment? Personally, I remain unconvinced. His current performance may not justify the hefty contract, and this disparity would only grow over time.
Grant, on the other hand, currently has career-high shooting percentages highlighting the potential value he could bring to the Kings. With an average of 41% shooting from beyond the arc, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 21 points per game, he would integrate smoothly into our offensive lineup. His rebounding skills may not be top-notch, but his overall enhancement over Harrison Barnes, both offensively and defensively, is significant.
As for Barnes, his performance this year has been well….bad. It might be time to make a tough decision and extricate Barnes from Mike Brown’s determined hold. I understand that he’s often the first one in the gym, a model professional, and so on. However, his recent displays have reached an unfortunate nadir, with his last ten games culminating in a -37 over 24 minutes per game and averages of 7.8 points, and 2.1 rebounds on 41.7% shooting.
I’ve been vocal about this in trade discussions on Twitter, Reddit, and talked extensively at my wife and dogs regarding the one opportunity to add another hefty salary to our team. Fox is due for a substantial extension if and when he makes the All-NBA again this season, Keegan will get his rookie extension in another year and a half, and Domas has already cashed in.
What would such a deal look like, and why would the Trailblazers be interested? Firstly, the Trailblazers are currently far from being a top-tier team and aren’t looking to retain veterans who help them win games. When they traded for Grant back in the summer of ’22, it was for the Bucks’ 2025 first-rounder and two second-round picks. However, Grant’s contract situation was different then. His re-signing with the Blazers last offseason raised eyebrows due to the length and amount committed, which many still view as a slight negative.
That being said, the Kings could trade their 2026 and/or 2030 first-rounder due to the lottery-protected first-rounder owed to the Hawks this season. We have an arsenal of second-rounders at our disposal. A deal centered around Harrison Barnes, who the Blazers could likely flip again for at least a couple more second-rounders, Davion Mitchell, Chris Duarte, or Sasha Vezenkov, plus our 2026 first-round pick could be a competitive offer.
James Ham hinted at some traction towards such a deal as recently as last Friday.
James Ham says there have been “murmurs” that the Kings might be interested in Jerami Grant. Talking about it now. https://t.co/TuEtFnLOeX
— Brett W. Huff (@bretthuff22) January 12, 2024
I believe that this potential trade would propel the Kings into the top four this year, and significantly boost our postseason prospects, while also preserving resources for re-signing our players like Monk and Murray and maintaining plenty of draft capital for the future.
