Brooklyn Though they haven’t finalized a transaction, the Dallas Mavericks have been named in a number of reports as potential buyers ahead of the trade deadline. With a 27-23 record going into their game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, the Mavs will need to bolster their lineup with more players in addition to Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. Quentin Grimes of the New York Knicks was allegedly one of the players the squad attempted to sign, but they were unsuccessful.
According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, the Knicks “quickly” turned down a trade offer from the Mavs to acquire Grimes. Even after the trade to acquire O.G. Anunoby that moved Immanuel Quickley, he remains frustrated with his role of clearing up backcourt minutes. “The Mavericks showed interest, but their package was quickly turned down by the Knicks, a source said,”
Grimes has averaged 7.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 20.2 minutes per game for the Knicks this season. The 23-year-old is faced with a reduced role in New York after averaging 29.9 minutes per game with career-high numbers across the board, prompting him to land in trade rumors. Grimes, a 6-foot-5 guard, does not fit the description of the type of common trade target the Mavs have pursued in other linked rumors. The team needs to get bigger on the wing, and naturally, they’ve pursued players who have the necessary size to play small forward or power forward. It wouldn’t require much salary for a team to acquire Grimes from the Knicks, considering he is earning under $2.4 million.
The Mavs are limited in trade assets because they still owe New York a first-round pick that carries top 10 protections through 2025. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Dallas’ preferred trade targets are currently Kyle Kuzma and P.J. Washington, with reported interest in Andrew Wiggins has been “overstated.” Those are names to watch ahead of the February 8 deadline as the Mavs seek to upgrade the roster.
