New York Knicks 2023-24 Player Preview: Quentin Grimes Looks to Establish a Future
Autumn in New York ... from a basketball perspective, it's finally inviting.
The New York Knicks return to action on Wednesday night against the Boston Celtics (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) in a game that will officially open one of the more anticipated seasons in recent metropolitan memory. New York is coming off its most successful NBA season in a decade, winning 47 games and a playoff series for the first time since 2013.
With tip-off looming, All Knicks will analyze and preview what's to come for the major contributors on the blue-and-orange roster. Part V turns to the newest starting five staple, Quentin Grimes ...
Grimes (6) established himself as an indispensable member of the Knicks' starting five in he early stages of last season
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Player Profile
Name: Quentin Grimes
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 6-5, 205 lbs.
College: Houston
Experience: 3rd season
The Story So Far
Upon arriving as the 25th pick of the 2021 draft, Grimes seemed to be the subject of a modern tragedy, one that saw his potential situated behind aging veterans like Alec Burks and Evan Fournier. He seemed destined to be another young prospect lost to Tom Thibodeau's apparent preference of age before youthful beauty. An ankle injury that ate away at the latter portions of his season certainly didn't help matters and he began year two situated behind Fournier on the shooting guard depth chart.
Before his second season, Grimes impressed during his second Vegas Summer League stint and carried that momentum once he was fully healthy to leap into the rotation, all while avoiding inclusion among potential Donovan Mitchell deals. He surpassed Fournier as the permanent primary man by Thanksgiving and averaged 11.9 points upon establishing his residency, which saw the Knicks post a 39-27 record when he was introduced before tip-off.
Grimes earned some hidden accolades from outside sources as the year went on: he unexpectedly stole the show at All-Star Weekend's Rising Stars competition (scoring 27 points in the two-game youth showcase) and was later selected to be part of Team USA's Select group that helped the senior bunch (which included Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart) prepare for the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
They Said It
“I kind of reached out to him because I knew coming into the season kind of what my role would be. Thibs talked about the shots that I would be getting this season. I know JJ Redick was one of the best shooters ever in this league ... What he put me through is definitely going to improve my conditioning, just overall fitness for when I’m out there on the court to kind of make sure that, when I’m tired, I can make shots when I’m fatigued."-Grimes on why he sought out training with Redick (h/t Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News)
“My offensive game and my defensive game. Just being an all-around player, taking it to the next level, my shot, being a lot more consistent, driving the ball, making plays for myself and my teammates. Defensively, (I'm) just taking that challenge of guarding the best player every night. I think just owning that and taking it upon myself to be more determined, really.”-Grimes on what he hoped to achieve on the Team USA Select team (h/t Ethan Sears, New York Post)
2023-24 Forecast
If his offseason workout schedules are any indication, Grimes was far from satisfied with a mere breakout. Having spent the summer with tenured backcourt names like Penny Hardaway and JJ Redick, it's clear the former first-round is expecting another step forward.
Even while establishing and justifying a long-term NBA prescience, Grimes' metropolitan future is far from secure: the backcourt picture got a little more crowded upon Donte DiVincenzo's arrival, and the past and present Jalen Brunson teammate has plenty to prove, even if he's said all the right things. Grimes' youth, upside, and raw talent will also continue to attract suitors looking to deal away a disgruntled superstar.
Grimes clearly has an NBA future, but it's up to him whether that's in New York or elsewhere. One to immediately endear himself to management will be to regain the outside shooting prowess he displayed in Houston (shooting over 40 percent from deep with the Cougars en route to the Men's Final Four in 2021) and taking better care of the ball. Continuing to improve his defense, which created separation from Fournier, will also impress in a Thibodeau-run system.
Longevity and endurance could also help Grimes separate himself from his peers: he averaged just under 30 minutes a night in the regular season and notably played a full 48 in the Knicks' final playoff victory in Game 5 over Miami.
