New York Knicks' Quentin Grimes Destined for Contract Extension?

Quentin Grimes has established a role for himself in the New York Knicks' starting five, leading some to believe that a contract extension is looming.

Quentin Grimes averaged 11.3 points on over 46 percent from the floor during his second NBA season in 2022-23. Having established himself in the New York Knicks' starting lineup, it's never too early to start thinking about the future, namely in the form of a contract extension for the 2021 first-round draft pick.

Count Jordanna Clark of Daily Knicks among those considering Grimes' future, especially in the wake of fellow backcourt prescience Immanuel Quickley's lack of a long-term deal.

"(Grimes) has been tabbed by several media outlets and personalities as a player due for a breakout season," Clark noted. "Maybe the Knicks brass feel the same way, and that’s another reason why they didn’t sign Quickley to an extension."

Grimes struggled to maintain a consistent prescience on the floor during his rookie season but had the team's primary shooting guard spot by November, replacing the exiled Evan Fournier. It was a satisfying development for the Houston alum, who was reportedly kept out of trades for NBA superstars like Donovan Mitchell in the preceding summer.

The third-year man has been a big difference-maker for the Knicks, as the team posted a 39-29 record after his promotion. Grimes is by no means the headliner on a Knicks team led by Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle but he was part of the depth showcase that allowed New York to escape the Play-In Tournament and win its first postseason series over a decade. 

Management's apparent reluctance to include Grimes in any blockbuster deals strongly hints that he'll at least be welcomed back on his 2024-25 option. Clark's analysis notes that Grimes can strengthen his case to stay even longer if he puts up a few more shots, namely from three-point range. 

"It’d be nice to see Grimes average more than the 8.5 shots he took last season," Clark observed. "He’s one of the most effective corner three-point shooters in the league, and (head coach) Tom Thibodeau and his teammates need to take advantage of that."

Grimes and the Knicks (1-2) will be back in action on Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers in a rematch of last year's first round Eastern Conference series (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG/TNT).