Open Thread: The brightest light to shine during the Spurs darkest times

Jerami Grant, originally drafted 39th overall in 2014 by the Philadelphia 76ers, just completed his twelfth season in the NBA. He's played with the 76ers, Thunder, Nuggets, and Pistons before landing in Portland. The four years he spent with the Trail Blazers was the longest tenure with one team of his career. After his first season in Rip City, Damian Lillard — the franchise's centerpiece — requested a trade and left for Milwaukee.

Since then the Trail Blazers have struggled, and although there have been improvements (from 21 wins in 2024 to 36 wins in 2025 to 42 wins last season) they have simply been unable to get over the hump.

"Grant was a Blazer. For a couple of years ensured the franchise wasn't devastatingly bad. He may have held onto the ball but that was because the young guys hadn't shown an ability to do it themselves. I think back to the night of the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline when the Blazers hosted the Pistons. Grant finished the overtime loss alongside rookie Toumani Camara, Ashtan Hagans, Matisse Thybulle and Jabari Walker. Anfernee Simons left the game early with injury. Grant was the only guy able to generate any semblance of offense."