Rumors: Mavericks emerging as trade suitor for up-and-coming Pistons guard
By Noah Weber
The 2024 NBA Draft is just a couple of hours away, and although the Dallas Mavericks don't have a first-round pick, rumors about the team have been spreading like wildfire over the last week or so.
The Mavs are reportedly interested in Tobias Harris in free agency, and they've even been linked in trade rumors for Jerami Grant of the Portland Trail Blazers.
There has been nonstop buzz about the Mavs for multiple days now, and they are reportedly trying to trade Tim Hardaway Jr. Among the favorites for Hardaway Jr. are the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons, and the framework of a trade that could send Hardaway Jr. to Detroit has been revealed.
Rumors: Mavericks emerging as trade suitor for Quentin Grimes
According to NBA insider Marc Stein (subscription required), Quentin Grimes is a player who could be sent to the Mavs if Dallas trades Hardaway Jr. to the Pistons. Dallas' interest in Grimes dates back to the trade deadline of last season, and he'd be an intriguing fit on the Mavs.
Last season for the Pistons and New York Knicks, Grimes averaged 7.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.7 steals per game while shooting 37.2 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from downtown. Grimes' stats were down from the season prior, but a change of scenery in Dallas could be what's right for him.
If traded to Dallas, Grimes would be a piece they can bring off the bench to bring shooting and energy. Like Josh Green, Grimes is a good shooter off the catch and a solid perimeter defender. He has a quicker release than Green, shoots a higher volume, and is a slightly better defender.
Although the numbers don't show it, Grimes is also an underrated playmaker and is an active off-ball cutter. These types of players thrive next to Luka Doncic, and the addition of Grimes while getting rid of Hardaway Jr. would give the Mavs a big boost off the bench.
Hardaway Jr. was unplayable at times during the playoffs, and Grimes is someone who does nearly everything better than him.
For all the latest news and rumors on the Dallas Mavericks and Tim Hardaway Jr. this offseason, stay tuned.