Trail Blazers to Bring Jerami Grant Off Bench in Season Opener
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The Portland Trail Blazers will open the 2025–26 season Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves with Jerami Grant coming off the bench, marking his first reserve role since the 2019-20 campaign with Denver.
Head coach Chauncey Billups will start Jrue Holiday and Shaedon Sharpe in the backcourt, Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija at forward, and rookie center Donovan Clingan, according to The Rose Garden Report.
Grant, 31, has started all 164 games he has played since arriving from Detroit in the 2022 offseason, averaging 18.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 34.1 minutes over three seasons. He is the team’s second-highest-paid player behind Holiday and is under contract for at least two more years, with a player option for 2027-28.
Camara, 24, recently signed a four-year extension that runs through 2029-30, while Avdija, 24, has three guaranteed seasons remaining on his deal. Their emergence pushed Grant to the second unit.
During media day last month, Grant said he did not anticipate moving to the bench but added he would “be fine” if the coaching staff made that decision.
Grant’s new role could impact his trade outlook. He owns three years and $102.6 million in guaranteed money and is coming off an injury-marred season limited to 47 games, factors that could curb his market value.
Source: Hoops Rumors
