Mavericks' Hardaway Jr. for Grimes trade crowned 'biggest win' of the offseason

After the Dallas Mavericks' NBA Finals loss to the Boston Celtics, one thing was continuously becoming abundantly clear.

The Dallas Mavericks would be looking to trade Tim Hardaway Jr.

Hardaway Jr. had one big showing in the NBA Finals as he set the Mavs' record for most threes in a Finals game with five in the Game 4 win, but the writing was on the wall that he could be out the door this summer even before the Finals hit.

Dallas had tried to trade Hardaway Jr. the summer before, and even he didn't know if he'd be back for the 2023-24 season. Hardaway Jr. started off the season hot, but things later got ugly and he was dealt early in the offseason.

Mavericks trading Hardaway Jr. set the table for elite offseason

Dallas traded Hardaway Jr. and three second-round picks to the Detroit Pistons for Quentin Grimes. The Mavs acquired an excellent player to join their bench unit in Grimes, and this trade was named as Dallas' biggest win of the summer by Bleacher Report's Dan Favale.

Favale praised Dallas for being able to get rid of Hardaway Jr. as it gave them the ability to fully utilize the non-taxpayer mid-level exception as well as helping them land Klay Thompson. If Dallas hadn't traded Hardaway Jr., it would have been much more challenging to make a move for Thompson when it comes to finances.

Without trading Hardaway Jr., Dallas signing Naji Marshall and Thompson would have been much more complicated.

While Hardaway Jr. did have some great moments in Dallas, the Mavs are getting an upgrade with Grimes. Grimes may not have the same flamethrower potential that Hardaway Jr. had, but he is an elite defender who takes pride in guarding the other team's best player.

Grimes is known for his excellent defense, and his dedication to locking down on that end will fit perfectly into Jason Kidd's system. Dirty-work wings typically thrive under Kidd, and while his defense is his calling card, his offense can't be overlooked either.

Grimes is a good shooter off the catch and off the dribble, and his in-between game is solid as well. Grimes uses his tight handle to get to his spots inside the arc and his quickness oftentimes helps him blow by his defender and get to the rim. He is focused on improving his playmaking this offseason, and his ability to play on and off the ball makes him a great fit next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

For some Mavs fans, it was tough to see Hardaway Jr. go. He had provided so much to the organization over the five and a half seasons he spent in Dallas, and his tenure with the Mavs got overlooked due to his struggles from last season.

Mavs fans will be in great hands this season with Grimes, as he is someone who they'll fall in love with quickly. He is a complete two guard, and his play on both ends and constant improvement could turn him into someone who sticks around in Dallas for years to come if he plays his way into an extension.