Mavs Trade Deadline Update: Blazers 'Resistant' to Trade Jerami Grant

"Portland has been repeatedly described by rival teams in recent weeks as resistant to the notion of trading forward Jerami Grant, who figured to be a target for some teams that missed out on Siakam," Stein wrote.

"The Blazers, despite their 12-29 struggles entering Sunday’s play in Year 1 of the Scoot Henderson Era have been trying to convince an array of skeptics leaguewide that they really want to keep Grant after signing him to a five-year, $160 million deal that many interpreted as a move designed to enhance Portland's chances of keeping Damian Lillard happy. Lillard requested a trade out of the Pacific Northwest last summer one day after Grant's deal was verbally agreed."

Through 36 games played, Grant is averaging 21.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 46.1 percent from the field, including 40.9 percent from deep. As good of a fit as Grant would be alongside Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II, though, the Mavs can't force the Trail Blazers to trade a player they don't want to trade. Grant has also recently voiced how he's content being in Portland.

As the trade deadline inches closer, Grant will certainly be a name we'll be keeping an eye on, because situations can change in a hurry this time of year. That said, we'll see if the Mavs can gain more traction on deals for other versatile forwards like Washington Wizards' Kyle Kuzma, Brooklyn Nets' Dorian Finney-Smith, Charlotte Hornets' P.J. Washington and others.