Sixers Standout Guard Reflects on Luka Doncic Trade to LA Lakers

Quentin Grimes and Luka Doncic were teammates prior to blockbuster deal.

Dec 27, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) drives to the basket past New York Knicks guard Quentin Grimes (6) during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Before putting together the best stretch of his pro career with the Philadelphia 76ers, Quentin Grimes was carving out a role for himself on the Dallas Mavericks. During a recent interview, the young guard provided an up-close view of the NBA's latest league-altering trade.

Prior to him also being moved at the deadline, Grimes was on the Mavs' roster when they made the shocking decision to part with Luka Doncic. The superstar guard was shipped to the LA Lakers to team up with LeBron James, while Dallas netted a high-caliber talent in Anthony Davis in return.

This week, Grimes was a guest on the Young Man and the Three podcast. Among the topics brought up was the Doncic trade unfolding from his perspective. He and his teammates, like the rest of the people in the basketball community, were left speechless by the Mavericks parting with their franchise cornerstone.

"I go to Shams and it's like Luka for AD," Grimes said. "What's funny is like I heard maybe like 10 seconds later, all I hear in the hallway is like ayo what the f***. I open my door and it's Naji, D-Live, I think PJ and we just looking at each other, we like what the f*** just happened."

"What you mean Luka got traded?!" -- Quentin Grimes on finding out about the Luka trade while on the Mavs 🚨 NEW YM3 TOMORROW 🚨 pic.twitter.com/OUnGdFXKJl

— TheYoungManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) April 15, 2025

Grimes' time with Doncic was brief, as he had just arrived in Dallas that offseason after being acquired in a trade for veteran forward Tim Hardaway Jr. He also didn't have to deal with much of the chaos that followed the trade, eventually being moved himself.

Being moved mid-season ended up working out nicely for Grimes, as he shined on a shorthanded Sixers team. In 28 games following the trade, he averaged 21.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 4.5 APG. Now, the former first-round pick will begin preparing to secure a new contract in restricted free agency this summer.