Mavericks are making a Quentin Grimes realization the Knicks completely ignored

When Quentin Grimes was traded to the Detroit Pistons at last year's trade deadline, his career and play fell off a cliff. Grimes' play fell off a cliff with six games in Detroit, he averaged a career-worst 14 percent from behind the arc and only 5.3 points per game while battling a knee injury.

With little positive value in Detroit, the Pistons would trade him to the Dallas Mavericks for Tim Hardaway Jr. and multiple second-round picks in the summer in an attempt to change the trajectory of the franchise. While Detroit had their motives for pulling the trigger on such a trade, the Mavericks were attempting to deepen their backcourt with a defensive stud in Grimes.

From the jump, it was clear Grimes would play a bigger role in Dallas considering the winning style of basketball he played with in New York. As a Knick, Grimes established himself as a premier 3-and-D wing with an upside ability to create off the dribble.

While in New York, Grimes displayed glimpses of his offensive package through the two and a half seasons he spent in the Big Apple, but it was in Dallas where Grimes found his true identity as a professional. He was never given the full trust of the Knicks to be himself and expand his game into a secondary initiator consistently, and Jason Kidd has done a great job in helping him be the type of player fans knew he could be.

Mavs have unlocked Grimes' true offensive potential in only a few months

In spite of the Mavericks' recent injury and illness bug that has run rampant through the locker room, Grimes has managed to be one of the few positive things to come out of the last few weeks. Against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night, Grimes poured in 26 points on efficient numbers from the field despite being shorthanded from the start.

Grimes cashed in on Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving being sidelined with illness and injury and proved to Kidd that he has what it takes to make an impact in the starting lineup. This was a move that fans called for recently, and they got what they wanted on Friday night as he started his 11th game of the season. With little depth over the last week, Grimes has become one of Kidd's few stable rotational pieces despite overcoming a wild illness of his own earlier this year.

Since joining Dallas, Grimes has detailed in interviews that he knew he would have a bigger offensive role under Kidd and that this would only give him a stage to display his deep dribble package. He said this type of confidence is something that he saw from coach Kelvin Samson when he was in college. and Kidd focussing on Grimes' energy and effort rather than little mistakes or missed shots has allowed him to be himself and show off his elite guard skills.

"A lot more comfortable," Grimes said. "I feel like J-Kidd and them give me a lot of confidence to go out there and play my game."

Against the Cavs, Grimes showcased his off-the-dribble ability, as he could penetrate Cleveland's stout defense and easily get to the rim. While it may not have been his best shooting night from three, Grimes has also displayed his elite outside shot-making ability on multiple occasions.

In addition to Grimes' impressive offensive tool bag, his defensive game extends just as far. Grimes has been able to defend some of the league's best names at the perimeter due to his elite athleticism and agility in space.

Grimes' elite defenses haven't only gotten him to the league, but it has expanded Dallas' backcourt depth when the team is fully healthy.

While Grimes may seem like the total package, the only thing the fourth-year pro has struggled with has been consistency. This season, Grimes has averaged a career-best 40.6 percent from behind the arc on a high volume in 33 games with the Mavericks.

While shooting has become a staple of Grimes' game, he has truly mastered the art of making threes at the right time in a Mavericks uniform.

Fans have yet to see Kidd commit to a starting lineup change involving Grimes, but the change will likely be made sooner rather than later with Doncic out if he can continue to play like this.