After losing in the NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks are now looking to improve their roster. After being rumored for days, the team made their first trade of the NBA offseason, trading long-time guard Tim Hardaway Jr to the Detroit Pistons, along with three second-round picks. In return, Dallas gets guard Quentin Grimes. The news was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski.
“Dallas has traded Tim Hardaway Jr. and three second-round picks to Detroit for Quentin Grimes, sources tell ESPN.”
Hardaway Jr came to the Mavericks in 2019 as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade from the New York Knicks. The former first-round pick immediately became a part of the Mavs' core as a key contributor off the bench alongside Luka Doncic. Hardaway's shooting and scoring became an important part of the team.
Over the last few years, though, Hardaway was slowly demoted deeper to the bench as his shooting waned and other aspects of his play regressed. The Mavericks have used Hardaway sparingly last season, buried in the depth chart come the playoffs. Still, his role in helping elevate Dallas as a consistent playoff performer is important to recognize.
As for Grimes, the former Knicks guard was traded to the Pistons in the middle of the 2023-24 season. Fans might recall Grimes as a potential breakout for New York when he was there. While he suffered some regression last season, a change of scenery could help Grimes break out. He'd be a clear upgrade over the aging Hardaway Jr.
Mavericks' goal for 2024-25 season
The Mavericks are looking for revenge after their dream season fell short this year. Dallas overcame the Western Conference gauntlet to make it all the way to the Finals. There, they faced the Boston Celtics. Unfortunately, Boston's talent was too much for the team to overcome. Dallas barely managed to avoid the sweep, but they ultimately lost 4-1.
Dallas will now look to make it back to the Finals, fueled by this incredible playoff run. After a disappointing first impression, the duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving looks to be better than ever before. They also found a few gems in rookie center Dereck Lively and trade deadline acquisition PJ Washington. The Mavericks have seemingly figured out the right way to complement Doncic after years of failed experiments.
Grimes will hopefully help supplement the Mavericks' struggling wing rotation. Hardaway Jr was unplayable at multiple points during the playoff run, due to his poor defense and mediocre shot-making. The strategy of staggering Doncic and Irving's minutes really only works if you have a wing defender that can ease the pressure off the stars on defense. Josh Green helps in that regard, but Grimes is theoretically an improved version of him.
Last season was the first time the Mavericks have made it back to the Finals since their fateful 2011 championship run. This year, Dallas failed to capture the Larry O'Brien trophy, running into the brick wall that was the Celtics. Armed with the experience from their Finals run, can this new Mavericks lineup capture the team's second championship in franchise history?
Follow Us
Subscribe