Mavericks exploring new contract for key role player ahead of impending deadline

The start of the NBA season is only a few days away, and even though the Dallas Mavericks have had a busy last couple of days when it comes to finalizing their roster, an even bigger move could be on the way.

Dallas waived A.J. Lawson, Jamarion Sharp, and Emanuel Miller while converting Jazian Gortman's contract to a two-way deal, and their potential next move would directly impact the future of their 15-man roster.

With Monday night's 5 p.m. CT deadline approaching for new deals for the first round picks from the 2021 NBA Draft class, the Mavs have a decision to make regarding Quentin Grimes.

Dallas traded for Grimes early in the offseason, and they can either extend him to lock him up for the extended future or allow him to play this season without a new contract and he would become a restricted free agent next summer. The Mavs are in a tough spot with Grimes when it comes to this extension, as he has only played in four preseason games. The sample size is small, but not extending him could be dangerous for the Mavs when considering he could play his way into a much bigger contract.

Grimes is a 'candidate' to receive contract extension from Mavericks

NBA insider Marc Stein of DLLS Mavs originally reported that Grimes has "emerged as a candidate" for this extension ahead of Monday's deadline, and I'm told that this deal will come down to the wire either way.

Grimes showed during the preseason that he is going to be a good role player in Dallas, as he averaged 8.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 38.7 percent from the field and 25 percent from downtown. His 3-point shooting was down, but he showed plenty of exciting qualities in his minutes.

Grimes' best game of the preseason came against the LA Clippers as he finished with 20 points, four rebounds, and two assists, and he showed how dominant he can be when he is at his best. He was drilling shots off the dribble and catch, getting open layups from off-ball cuts, and even running the pick and roll as a ball handler.

His offensive game is much more than a catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter, and his dynamism on that end is going to be a difference maker. He can create his own shot when needed, and his passing when attacking closeouts looks to be a strength of his.

Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford should feast off opportunities coming from dump-off passes from Grimes, and he gives them tons of offensive flexibility.

The fact that Dallas has already explored extending Grimes is a good sign for him considering that he has only played in four preseason games, and they likely believe in his long-term potential as a key role player in the rotation. It remains unseen how Grimes will fit on the floor in game scenarios, but his versatility should allow him to fit excellently into whatever role Jason Kidd decides to give him.