The most unambitious person, 20+4+3 for 4 consecutive years, bowed to money, and now he is 31 years old but becomes a negative asset

After Yang Hansen was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers, the Trail Blazers also received great attention that had never been seen before. After all, Xiao Yang will appear in the NBA next season. Just like Yao Ming to the Rockets, Yi Jianlian to the Bucks, and Nets back then, the Trail Blazers have been regarded as the home team by most Chinese fans. Therefore, the players in the Trail Blazers lineup have also received everyone's attention. Not long ago, the team's scoring champion Anthony Simmons was traded to the Celtics last season, and the one who has been playing for the team for the longest time is probably Jerami Grant. However, compared to when he first joined, Grant is now disliked by Trail Blazers fans.

In fact, Grant is only 31 years old now. In terms of current medical level and average ability of the players, he should be at his peak. Moreover, before this season, he has averaged 20+4+3 per game for four consecutive seasons, which is completely a top second and third-ranked leader. But when facing money and championship, he still chose the former, so he was once regarded by the media as the "most unambitious person". Let’s take a look at how Grant performs when he comes to the Trail Blazers and what his future prospects will be!

1. Signed the Pistons at a low price and became the team leader.

Time goes back to the summer of 2020. At that time, 26-year-old Grant averaged 12 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game with the Nuggets. Although the data is not that impressive, it is mainly because Grant does not have much ball rights in the Nuggets. Therefore, after becoming a free agent, he naturally hopes to go to a team that is in bad shape, so as to win a big contract by playing convincing performance and data. So, he accepted the invitation of the Pistons, which had become a weak brigade in the Eastern Conference at that time, and became a member of the Pistons with a three-year, low-priced contract of $60 million. Grant's choice is indeed very correct. In the Pistons' half season, his data surged to 24.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals, with a three-point shooting percentage reaching an astonishing 39.3%, and many data set career highs. Although he has not been able to help the team reach the playoffs, his average of 22.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists throughout the season still proves his outstanding personal ability.

It is precisely because of his outstanding performance that Grant was selected into the list of Dream Teams to go to the Tokyo Olympics. Although his overall contribution was relatively limited, he also won the final championship with the Dream Team. Therefore, in the summer of that year, Grant reached the peak moment of his career. In the 21-22 season, although the team won the No. 1 pick Cad Cunningham, Grant's right to take action was guaranteed. Unfortunately, Grant encountered certain injuries this year, and only played 47 games in total, but he still contributed 19.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists. After performing outstandingly for two consecutive seasons, Grant also received the attention of many teams. In the end, the Trail Blazers stood out from these teams, reached an agreement with the Pistons, and obtained this forward with great ability.

2. Excited at the Trail Blazers and signed a top contract.

In fact, the Trail Blazers at that time did not completely want to rebuild. Although they lost CJ McCollum, they still wanted to seize Damian Lillard's peak period and launch another attack on the championship. This is also the reason why they worked hard to get Grant. Grant did not disappoint the Trail Blazers. After coming to the team, he immediately got into the state, averaging 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He is the only player in the team who can share the pressure of Lillard's offensive pressure except Anthony Simmons. In addition, his efficiency is also good, with his shooting and three-point shooting percentages reaching 47.5% and 40.1% respectively. There is no doubt that Grant was definitely one of the top second leaders at that time. With him, as long as the team's lineup is not too shabby, and with a big boss who can withstand the pressure, Grant can fully guarantee the bottom line and help the team stabilize its state and record.

But unfortunately, the Trail Blazers lineup this year was average, and Lillard still failed to fully recover from injuries, so the Trail Blazers eventually missed the playoffs. By the summer of 2023, Grant, who has become a completely free agent, has two choices for him to make a decision. One is to sign a not-too-large contract but can win the championship, and the other is to renew the contract with the Trail Blazers and get a huge contract, but the distance from the championship will be further and further. In the end, Grant's choice was to complete a contract renewal with the team and sign a five-year, $160 million contract. Although he still maintained an output of 21 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in the 23-24 season, in the eyes of most fans and media, Grant became a "coward". Even though he had the opportunity to realize his dream of a championship, when he bowed to money and reality, the Trail Blazers in the end still missed the playoffs this year. The last time Grant played in the playoffs was the Nuggets in the 19-20 season, so he was criticized by many media.

3. The condition has declined severely and has become the team's negative assets.

This season, the Trail Blazers' goal is actually very simple, that is, to cultivate young people such as Sheden Sharp and Scudt Henderson while showing off their losses. Under such circumstances, 31-year-old Grant is in a very embarrassing situation. Although he still has his ability, he has reached this age after all. With the team's lineup strength being weak, he basically has no effect. Moreover, in recent years, his attendance rate has been very average. He missed a full 35 games again this season, and his overall condition is very unstable.. Average of 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, this is the data order Grant handed over, and the efficiency is quite poor. Therefore, many teams that were interested in him had recovered their previous offer after seeing his condition decline so severely. What's worse is that Grant's contract has three seasons left and has basically become a negative asset. Even if the Trail Blazers want to send him away, it will be quite difficult. Now it seems that if Grant had not chosen money but joined a championship-level team, he might have made a lot of money now and might have a championship ring. It can only be said that one choice really could completely determine a person's future.