5 Dallas Mavericks players that will surprise everyone in 2024-25

1. Quentin Grimes

The Dallas Mavericks' first move after losing the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics was trading Tim Hardaway Jr. and three second-round picks to the Detroit Pistons for Quentin Grimes. The Mavs had been trying to move Hardaway Jr. for some time, and they were able to do it and arguably make the "steal of the offseason" by snagging Grimes.

Grimes is poised to be an excellent role player off the bench for the Mavs, and his performance early on is going to shock everyone. This wasn't just a salary dump for the Mavs. Grimes is going to be a great role player right away, and his defense will impress right away.

Grimes will likely be tasked with guarding the other team's best guard when he is on the floor, and he has excelled when guarding the best players in the NBA. He can guard one through three effectively, and his defense is going to be an upgrade over what Josh Green provided.

Offensively, Grimes will be at his best if he can knock down open shots. He is a career 37 percent 3-point shooter, and he can make threes off the dribble and off the catch. Outside of his shooting, Grimes is also an underrated attacker and finisher at the rim. He has a quick first step, and he can easily blow by a defender if they close out too hard.

Grimes' balance on both ends of the floor could surprise some fans, and he is poised to be a big difference maker starting on day one.