Is There a Case For Knicks to Keep Quentin Grimes Out of A Trade?
The New York Knicks made headlines by dealing away homegrown talents RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley on Dec. 30. Rumor has it they might not be done.
Quentin Grimes, the team's first-round pick in 2021, has lingered in trade gossip thanks to youth and upside. Though he might be the Knicks' most desirable asset beyond their draft pick surplus, there could be a case to keep him on their future blueprint.
Rafael Canton of SNY is among those who want to see Grimes' time extended, arguing that his defensive contributions can't be denied.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
"The 6-5 guard is one of the team’s best defenders and before the arrival of (OG) Anunoby, he was tasked with guarding stars like (Donovan) Mitchell, Jimmy Butler and Jayson Tatum," Canton writes. "The Knicks are defending better with Grimes on the floor, giving up 3.0 more points per 100 possessions when he’s off the court, per NBA Stats."
Grimes began the year as the Knicks' starting shooting guard but lost that role to Donte DiVincenzo by early December. Since moving to the second unit, Grimes has show flashes of his offensive brilliance, such as a 19-point outing in relief during Jan. 5's blowout win in Philadelphia.
But if the team was to decide to trade the young guard, several teams would probably come calling. Grimes' situation is not unlike that of Quickley, a bench start who was moved into the Toronto Raptors' starting five after the Knicks traded him and
With the deadline weeks away, Grimes will look to prove his worth to the Knicks ... or potential suitors ... when an extended stretch of play in their home city continues on Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT).
