Blazers’ Ayton, Williams III, Grant Reportedly on Commerce Block After Jrue Vacation Deal
The Portland Path Blazers made a splash by buying veteran level guard Jrue Vacation from the Boston Celtics, and it feels like they don’t seem to be performed making strikes.
In accordance with Brett Siegel of Clutch Factors, the Blazers will “now [turn] their consideration to the opportunity of making additional strikes, with Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams III, and Jerami Grant on the commerce block, sources mentioned.”
The Blazers shipped away combo guard Anfernee Simons and second-round picks in 2030 and 2031 to accumulate Vacation, who spent the final two years with the Celtics. Portland had briefly acquired Vacation within the commerce that despatched star level guard Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks previous to the 2023 season earlier than re-routing him to Boston. The workforce surprisingly determined to deliver him again on a extra everlasting foundation to supply a veteran presence for a younger group.
The Blazers confirmed indicators that they are close to the tip of their rebuild with a promising 36-46 end to the 2024-25 season, a 15-win enchancment from the earlier 12 months. Nonetheless, the trio of frontcourt gamers who’re reportedly on the buying and selling block may assist them additional enhance their roster as they attempt to contend for a playoff spot subsequent 12 months.
Ayton is probably going probably the most enticing identify of the group, because the 2018 No. 1 decide by no means reached his full potential however at instances confirmed indicators of being a productive huge man. Grant and Williams are savvy veterans who could be defensive anchors, however each of them performed beneath 50 video games final season.
Buying Vacation is a step in the proper path for the Blazers, as his management may pay dividends for younger guards Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson. Nonetheless, Portland has extra work to do if it desires to emerge from the pack within the aggressive Western Convention subsequent 12 months.