Mavericks suddenly have a shot at dream reunion they can't ignore

The Dallas Mavericks struck gold just under a year ago, landing the No. 1 overall pick and selecting generational talent Cooper Flagg. But beyond Flagg, the roster remains a patchwork lacking cohesion. In other words, Dallas needs connectors. Players who can bring balance to the floor. That’s what makes this offseason especially intriguing, as there's a familiar face who embodies that role who could hit the open market: Quentin Grimes.

Quentin Grimes’ first run with the Mavericks was impactful

Grimes’ stint in Dallas was brief. He arrived in the 2024 offseason in a deal that sent Tim Hardaway Jr. and three second-round picks to the Detroit Pistons, but less than a year later, the Mavericks flipped him to the Philadelphia 76ers, along with a 2025 second-round pick, in exchange for Caleb Martin.

Nonetheless, Grimes made a noticeable impact during his time in Dallas, and his play only improved after landing in Philadelphia. The Houston product averaged 10.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in just 22.8 minutes per game, while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from beyond the arc as a Maverick.

Grimes evolved into a rising star in Philadelphia

After landing with the Sixers, though, Grimes looked like a different player. His minutes jumped to 33.7 per game, and he delivered with averages of 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 steals, all while maintaining strong efficiency, shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from deep. He even topped 40 points twice in just 28 appearances during the 2024–25 season.

Following his late-season breakout, Grimes entered restricted free agency in search of a new deal. However, he and the 76ers couldn’t reach an agreement, leading the 25-year-old to play on his one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer.

In his follow-up season, Grimes saw his role shift after Philadelphia used the No. 3 overall pick on standout guard VJ Edgecombe. He moved to the bench but continued to play a significant role. Through 65 appearances (18 starts), he’s averaged 13.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 0.9 steals, while shooting 45.1 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from three.

Still, even with Grimes taking more of a back seat, his defensive impact shouldn’t be overlooked. He’s held opponents to a 1.9 percent lower field goal percentage and ranks in the 73rd percentile in on/off defensive rating.

All in all, Grimes’ résumé highlights his two-way impact. He’s flashed elite scoring ability, including a 46-point outing, while proving he can knock down threes at a high clip, shooting nearly 40 percent during his time in Dallas. Add in his defensive versatility, where he’s more than held his own against some of the league’s top offensive players, and it’s clear he fits a need. He’s exactly the type of player the Mavericks need between Kyrie Irving and Flagg at the two.

Why a reunion makes real sense for Dallas

The catch: Grimes is an unrestricted free agent, and with multiple teams likely chasing him, including Philadelphia, landing a reunion won’t be easy.

The Mavericks, like most teams, won’t have a ton of cap space, but they do have the non-tax mid-level exception, the same tool the Atlanta Hawks used to sign breakout star Nickeil Alexander-Walker last offseason. Using it, Dallas could theoretically offer Grimes a deal worth around $60 million over four years, with a sign-and-trade also a possible avenue.

There’s been plenty of talk about Dallas using its first-round pick to add a game-changing point guard, which could make a shooting guard a priority in free agency. While Max Christie has held that spot this season, Grimes offers a different dimension as an on-ball creator and versatile defender. Adding another option at the two-guard would also be a major boost to the Mavericks’ rotation.

A reunion with Grimes would give the Mavericks the type of two-way guard they’ve been missing. A player who can score, create, and defend at a high level. While his free agency will draw interest from multiple teams, Dallas has the tools to make a competitive offer, and the fit alongside Irving and Flagg is undeniable.