quentin grimes

Knicks: Allan Houston, Penny Hardaway push Quentin Grimes to play best Summer League game

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Shooters will always shoot.

Quentin Grimes entered the NBA with a reputation as a 3-and-D guy after leading the Houston Cougars to the NCAA Final Four last season.

But after Grimes hit his first shot — a 3-pointer — in his NBA Summer League debut, his primary skillset seemed to have betrayed him.

After three Summer League games, he was just shooting 27 percent from the field and 31.8 percent from the 3-point zone.

It wasn’t the shooting form expected from the 25th overall pick after blowing the New York Knicks brass away with his impeccable shooting during the NBA Draft Combine.

Throughout his slump, Grimes never wavered, gleaning on two former NBA stars’ encouraging words.

“Allan Houston told me to keep shooting. Everything will gonna follow. Penny (Hardaway) was texting me: ‘everything will gonna follow. Shoot is what you do.’ That’s why I came out a little bit more aggressive today at all times,” Grimes said.

Houston, a special assistant to Knicks assistant general managers, was a 40 percent career three-point shooter. He had some of the biggest shots in Knicks’ history. On the other hand, Hardaway was a 32 percent career three-point shooter but played his best years with Orlando Magic before playing for the Knicks during the twilight of his career.

Grimes held his pre-Draft camp in Memphis training with Hardaway.

The two former Knicks players’ powerful words rejuvenated Grimes who broke out from his shooting slump Friday.

His 15-point effort nearly helped the Knicks wipe out a 21-point fourth quarter deficit. It took Cade Cunningham’s best game to preserve a Detroit Pistons victory, 93-87, Friday in Las Vegas. Cunningham, the top overall pick, scored 24 points built on seven triples.

Grimes tried to keep up, scoring eight in the final quarter to backstop Obi Toppin’s 31 points.

Grimes hit 3 of 6 from deep and went 6 for 10 overall from the field. He added seven rebounds, three assists and two shot blocks in a well-rounded performance.

”I’m just starting to get comfortable,” Grimes said. “The last few games I was not shooting well.”

Even when his shot was not falling, Grimes did not stop playing.

”I hung onto my defense. I rebounded and continued making plays,” said Grimes who averaged 6.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists before Friday.

Knicks Summer League coach Dice Yoshimoto kept his faith and also implored his struggling swingman to keep on shooting.

“I told Quentin to be Quentin. If he’s open, shoot it. If not, move it. Don’t overthink. Just shoot and let it fly,” Yoshimoto said. “He’s been putting up a lot of time in the gym. It showed today, and he made some shots.”

Grimes hopes to carry that momentum in Knicks’ Saturday marchup against third overall pick Evan Mobley and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

How can the Knicks get the most out of Quentin Grimes in his rookie season?

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quentin grimes, knicks

When the New York Knicks drafted Quentin Grimes with the 26th overall selection, they anticipated adding a solid 3-and-D player to the roster. Despite targeting Chris Duarte in the late lottery, the Knicks ended up with their second-best option in Grimes, who was a solid player for Houston last season in the AAC. Some might refrain from cooking Grimes as a 3-and-D player right off the bat, given his aggression and underrated athleticism driving to the hoop.

Over 30 games, Grimes posted 17.8 points, 2.0 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and shot 40% from three-point range, averaging 8.3 attempts per game. His 32.8 minutes per contest were the highest of his college year career last season, and he’s looking to make an impact as a rookie this upcoming season for his new team.

However, the Knicks signed Evan Fournier, a quality sharpshooter, to a four-year contract worth $78 million. Grimes will have to fight for playing time, but if there’s any way to get on the floor, it is by deploying elite defense. Tom Thibodeau loves players who exert maximum effort on defense, even if their scoring is lackluster at times. However, Grimes has the capabilities to provide value as a rebounder, on-ball defender, and three-point shooter.

Over two Summer League games, Grimes has averaged 34.7 minutes and 7.5 points. He is shooting 23.8% from the field and 35.7% from three-point range, but obviously, these numbers are affected by a small sample size.

Grimes has been overshadowed by rookies Miles McBride, Jericho Sims, and second-year players Obi  Toppin and Immanuel Quickley. He has shown flashes as a quality shooter but needs to be more consistent with his mid-range shot.

First-round draft picks for the Knicks are always heavily scrutinized early in their careers, as Toppin was put under a microscope last season. Averaging just 11 minutes per game isn’t ideal, but the emergence of Julius Randle put his development on the back-burner. The roster has enough talent to allow a gradual growth strategy for their youth, meaning Grimes won’t be expected to play a big role next season.

I would keep a close eye on Quentin, who has fantastic dunking ability to go with his efficient shooting statistics. While some might look at him and think of a Reggie Bullock replacement, he has far more athleticism and skills to develop, which could make him a well-rounded player at the NBA level. It all depends on his coaching and adaptation.

The key for Grimes to get on the floor this upcoming season boils down to his defense and ability to hit open shots. Thibs isn’t going to rely on him to be a focal point on offense and run the team, so allowing him to improve his spacing and curate open shots is his best chance at helping the team.

Too Quick, Too Hot: Quickley lifts Knicks past Pacers in NBA Summer League

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immanuel quickley, knicks

After a jittery start to his first NBA Summer League, Immanuel Quickley got the perfect advice from New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau.

“Just be yourself,” Quickley revealed.

And he looked like the Quickley that the Knicks have stolen with the 25th pick in last year’s NBA draft and was named to the All-Rookie NBA Team.

After a brutal 5-for-17 shooting in the Knicks’ 89-79 loss to the Toronto Raptors Sunday, Quickley bounced back strong with a game-high 32 points built around 11-of-21 field goals.

He was perfect six-for-six from the line and added eight assists against a single turnover. The guard out of Kentucky also had two steals in a solid game on both ends of the floor.

“Last game, I was kinda trying to find my way and get everybody involved,” Quickley said. “In this game, I’m kinda trying to do both but just a little bit more aggressive, help my teammates and be more of a leader.”

Quickley did much of the damage in the second half, dropping 23 points and six assists where the Knicks outscored the Pacers by 11 points.

Obi Toppin, who fed off Quickley’s point guard play, had another strong outing with 22 points and nine rebounds but had five turnovers.

Toppin started the game aggressively but a little bit out of control. He committed four of the Knicks’ 10 turnovers in the first quarter and missed three baskets around the rim, including a flubbed dunk in his first attempt. But once he got settled and played in the flow of things, the sophomore forward was a wrecking ball.

Two days after the Knicks lost to Atlanta Hawks in the first round, Quickley and Toppin were reportedly back in the gym.

“That’s what the Knicks culture is — working hard, enjoying the work, and getting better,” Quickley said. “We’re really excited for the Summer League team. We’re really excited for the next season. We just want to continue to get better and take the steps to move forward.”

The Knicks have prioritized getting Quickley more reps as a point guard in his first Summer League play. So far, the 4:1 assist-to-turnover ratio had been impressive. He said he’s looking forward to soaking in more lessons from Derrick Rose and the newly acquired Kemba Walker.

Meanwhile, fan-favorite Jericho Sims stayed perfect in the NBA Summer League with an eight-point, nine-rebound effort. He was 4-for-4 from the field after going 6-for-6 in his debut. Sims, who signed a two-way deal reportedly for two years per Keith Smith of Spotrac, has been a revelation.

“He played phenomenal running the floor and catching lobs in traffic,” freelance NBA scout Tony Coleman told Empire Sports Media. “He’s playing solid defense on the other side of the ball. He’s definitely a steal in my humble opinion.”

Coleman is in Las Vegas for his scouting trip.

Meanwhile, Lithuanian guard Rokas Jokubaitis, the Knicks’ 36th pick, finally made his Knicks debut contributing three points and one assist in nine minutes.

Jokubaitis, a healthy DNP in the Knicks’ first game, was given more run this time than Luca Vildoza. Knicks Summer League coach Dice Yoshimoto even experimented with a three-guard lineup featuring Jokubaitis, Miles McBride, and Vildoza, who went scoreless in four minutes but managed to grab a rebound and one steal.

The Knicks’ first-round pick, Quentin Grimes, had another rough shooting game with six points on 2-for-10 shooting in almost 35 minutes. Matched against NBA Draft Day target Chris Duarte, Grimes committed five fouls. Duarte had a solid debut filling up the stats sheet with 14 points, two rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two shot blocks. The 24-year old Duarte played with so much poise and shot 4-of-8 from the field, including 3-for-7 from deep.

The Knicks’ other second-round pick, McBride, put an exclamation point to their win and his impressive game with a dunk.

With Thibodeau in attendance, McBride showed the toughness and tenacity that made the Knicks coach fall in love with his game. He scattered 14 points (5-of-7 from the field), three rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

On Wednesday, the Knicks will return to action against the Los Angeles Lakers at 10 pm ET on ESPN2.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo 

Knicks’ Quentin Grimes offers one-two punch with Evan Fournier

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quentin grimes, knicks

The New York Knicks prioritized three-point shooting this off-season, deploying their highest draft selection and spending an exorbitant amount of free agency money to help bolster the category. Last season, the Knicks ended up being one of the best three-point shooting teams in basketball during the second half of the season, but they’re looking to improve upon that success and put together an entire campaign of efficiency.

With that idea in mind, the Knicks spent the 25th overall pick on Quentin Grimes out of Houston. The 6’5″, 205-pound guard featured on one of the best defensive teams in college last year, but his strength resides in the three-point category. He shot 40.3% from range, attempting 8.3 per game. Grimes averaged 17.8 points over 32.8 minutes per game.

However, Grimes isn’t only a three-point shooter, he’s an aggressive, athletic player who can drive to the rim. As a pesky defender, he fits Tom Thibodeau’s mold perfectly as the Knicks fell in love with him prior to the draft. While they were targeting Chris Duarte out of Oregon, Grimes was the next best option as a three-point shooting guard.

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson described his team’s culture as been hard-nosed, tough, defending, and rebounding. However, Grimes took the easier route when he first joined the program, not exerting maximum effort in the rebounding category and helping in detailed ways. Sampson brought that effort out of him, which caught the attention of Thibodeau.

“We needed his talent, but he needed what our program’s culture was about. And that was being hard-nosed, being tough, defending and rebounding.” Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson says. “I think Quentin always thought that was for the [peons]. That’s for the regular guys. I’m a star. I don’t need rebounding. But in our program, my man, if you don’t get on them boards …”

In fact, during an interview with Sports Illustrated, Sampson stated he would make the entire team run if Grimes didn’t rebound like he was supposed to. Samson believes God put Grimes in his program to iron out his deficiencies. Impressively, only two players snagged more rebounds than Grimes last season, ranking second in the conference in steals and one of three players to connect on more than 100  three-point shots. If that wasn’t enough, Grimes also lead the American Athletic Conference in total points.

Despite his success with Houston, the Knicks don’t want to rush his development and force him into a starring role immediately. That is why the front office signed sharpshooter Evan Fournier on a four-year, $78 million deal. Fournier is an established NBA veteran who averaged 17.1 points last season, including 3.4 assists and shooting 45.7% from the field. He’s also a high octane three-point shooter, connecting on 41.3% over 6.7 attempts per game.

Over the course of a long season, Grimes can help supplement Fournier when he needs rest. Averaging 30 minutes per game last year, that leaves an additional 18 minutes of playing time that will likely be picked up by Grimes, as long as he can adapt quickly.

With Reggie Bullock signing with the Dallas Mavericks, the Knicks supplemented his loss with an even better score who can create for himself. Fournier represents an upgrade, and Grimes can contribute defensively immediately when the French player is off the floor.

I wouldn’t rule out Grimes offering scoring production as well, offering a one-two punch for the Knicks as they prepare for the 2021-22 season.

Quentin Grimes on becoming a Knick: ‘A match made in heaven’

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quentin grimes, knicks

Quentin Grimes was destined to become a Knick.

That’s how he felt in the days leading up to Thursday’s NBA Draft. And it was surreal for him to happen the way he envisioned it.

“I felt like leading up to the draft — when I had my workout with them — it’s going to be a great fit,” Grimes said during his introductory press conference as the newest member of the New York Knicks. “They’re building (something) special in New York and I want to be a part of it. They’ve made the playoffs and I feel like in the years to come, they’re gonna be even closer to a Finals appearance, for sure.”

The 21-year old Grimes was supposed to be a one-and-done prospect at Kansas two years ago. Coming into college as a high school phenom who had won every major award as the best player in Houston, Grimes got ahead of himself. That almost cost him his NBA career.

A man of lesser character would have been devastated. But Grimes saw it as a blessing in disguise.

“I think it helped me to what I went through in my freshman year, fighting adversity and coming out on the other side and having the season like I had,” said Grimes who will enter the NBA fresh from leading the Houston Cougars to the NCAA Final Four.

After testing the NBA waters in 2019, Grimes saw his lottery stock plummet to the backend of the second round following a disappointing freshman year with the Jayhawks, where he shot an abysmal 38.4 percent from the field.

The fall from grace humbled him.

“My path was different than what people expected, but I feel like it worked out for the best outcome for me,” he said.

Grimes worked his way back when he transferred to the University of Houston. Under the tutelage of Kelvin Sampson, a former NBA assistant coach, Grimes grew into a complete player adding high-level shooting and defense to his toolbox.

The result was one hell of a comeback. The swagger he lost at Kansas, he found it when he returned home to Houston.

After a feeling-each-other-out sophomore season, Grimes finally got comfortable as the Cougars’ go-to guy last season.  He averaged 17.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting 40.3 percent on 8.3 threes. He was Cougars’ best offensive player and their best defender.

Grimes’ detour to the NBA led him to a more stable organization and a coach similar to what he had during his transformative years at Houston.

“I know coach Thibs is a tough, hard-nosed coach and I came from coach (Kelvin) Sampson who is also a tough, hard-nosed coach. I feel like we’re a match made in heaven that he’s gonna be on you.” Grimes said.

Like in Leon Rose’s first NBA Draft last year, the Knicks zeroed in on prospects with high character who were undervalued. They extracted additional assets in the way they shrewdly operated on Thursday night and saved some cap space in the process.

They enter Monday’s free agency with more than $50 million in cap space. No matter how they spend that money, Grimes figure to earn a rotation spot next season.

Grimes was one of those guys who impressed Thibodeau at the Draft Combine in Chicago. He was the best player on the court and looked every inch like the lottery pick he was supposed to be in 2019. The 6-5, 210 lbs wing racked up seven triples en route to a 27-point explosion during one scrimmage. There was a long stretch — the first 10 minutes or so in the first half — where he was unstoppable.

More than his desire to prove that he belongs to the first round of this draft class, Grimes said it was the competitor in him that compelled him to come out and dominate the game that spilled into the pre-draft workouts, including the one he did with the Knicks.

“I trust the work I put in and I’m not afraid to go out there and compete and do what I have to do,” Grimes said.

Thibodeau, the reigning NBA Coach of the Year, already hinted at the Draft Combine that he was looking for someone like Grimes – wings with shooting.

But besides those particular skill sets, Thibodeau also put a premium on high character guys that gravitated them to Grimes when all their wing prospects in the top 20 went off the board.

“There’s a great value in [character]. You try to measure their drive and intelligence and how players have improved over a period of time. And also if they have gotten through some adversity. You’d like to see that quality as well. There are a number of things you’re looking for,” Thibodeau said at the Draft Combine.

Grimes checked all the boxes. But he believes he has more to offer.

“Everybody knows that I’m a high-level shooter and a high-level defender. But I’m also like –- people cannot just label me a 3-and-D guy –- more than that. I can play pick and roll. I can make plays, create plays for myself and others,” Grimes said.

Initially, Grimes is projected to come off the bench and play that 3-and-D role similar to what pending free agent Alec Burks provided to the Knicks last season. Eventually, he could grow into more than that if everything comes together for him in the next level.

“I feel like I can make an immediate impact shooting the ball at the high level for threes and locking down defensively – two things that I’m really proud of myself and I hang my hat on,” Grimes said.

It helps that he will be having the same type of coach and environment that will demand accountability and hard work. Grimes, who shares the same agent with another Knicks free agent Reggie Bullock, felt right at home.

RJ Barrett, whom he played with and against from Jordan Classic to McDonald’s All-American games, reached out to him after getting drafted. So with Immanuel Quickley. And their message had the same theme that resonated well with him.

“Congrats, and welcome to the team! It’s time to get to work.”

Grimes couldn’t be happier that he landed on a team coming off a playoffs appearance rather than a rebuilding team.

“I feel like I was picked in the perfect spot. Some people might say I got picked too low, I got picked too high but I feel like I got picked in the right situation,” he said.

“Going to New York, as I said, is a match made in heaven with the fans expecting nothing but greatness every time you step on the court. They’re gonna be hard on you, tough on you and I feel like I will be able to embody that Knicks culture and hopefully bring that every night I step on the court playing in the Knicks jersey.”

Spoken like a true Knick.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

 

Knicks’ draft picks Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride have one major similarity

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miles mcbride, knicks

There are two skills you can never have enough of an NBA roster, and those are shooting and defending. The New York Knicks are looking to improve in both categories, as head coach Tom Thibodeau focused in on two specific athletes, Miles McBride and Quentin Grimes.

Both have one major similarities, defensive production and efficiency. Both played physical and high intensity basketball last season at the college level, and defense is one of the more translatable traits.

McBride has elite sleight of hand, averaging 1.9 steals per game last season and showcasing an ability to poke the ball free from handlers. He’s an extremely savvy defender with superior athleticism, but he’s also one of the toughest players in the draft.

“I see people ahead of him that I know he’s better than,’’ West Virginia assistant coach Erik Martin told The Post. “Some of those guys he’s outplayed when we played them. He’s 6-2, a former football player and a winner. He has toughness. He came in the door with that. Hopefully where he gets drafted is somewhere where he’d play.’’

McBride is not only a defensive talent, he also shot an impressive 41% from three-point last season, averaging 15.9 points per game. Developing him behind an established veteran will give him plenty of time to adapt and refine his talents, hopefully growing into a long-term solution.

McBride is a point guard, though, while Grimes features as a shooting guard who feels he can do far more than the perception of him during the draft indicated.

Quentin Grimes detailed his approach to the NBA and the perception of him ahead of the 2021-22 season, via SNY:

“I felt like just leading up to the draft when I had my workouts with them, I feel like it was a great fit. I know Coach [Tom Thibodeau] is a tough, hard-nosed coach, and then coming from [Houston] Coach [Kelvin] Sampson, who is also a tough, hard-nosed coach, I felt like it would kind of be a match made in heaven,” Grimes said. “Just that he’s gonna be on you…

“I feel like I was picked in the perfect spot. I feel like some people might say that I was picked too low, picked too high or something like that, but I feel like I got picked in the right situation. I feel like going to New York is going to be a match made in heaven.”

Grimes is an elite shooter, averaging 17.8 points per game last season on 41% shooting from the field. He also connected on 40% of his shots from range, averaging 8.3 attempts per game. His ability to drive the baseline and shoot with a fearless mentality will help him at the next level.

“I feel like everybody knows that I’m a high-level shooter. I’m a high-level defender, but I feel like I’m also just – kind of, people just label me as a three-and-D guy, but I feel like I’m a lot more than that. I can play pick-and-roll, make plays, create plays for myself and others, but I feel like I could definitely have an immediate impact shooting the ball at a high level for threes and locking down defensively. Those are two things that I really pride myself and hang my hat on.”

At 6’5″, 205-pounds, and a 6’8″ wingspan, Grimes has great size and length to guard multiple positions on the perimeter. He averaged 1.4 steals per game last season at 21 years old, and has some of the most active hands in the draft class. He’s solid at closing out shooters and contesting jump shots, something his size helps him with.

Expect to see Grimes play a similar role to Reggie Bullock next season, being more of an off-ball player who hovers into specific spots on the floor, predominantly beyond the three-point line. His excellent defense will contribute toward him being perceived as a 3-and-D player, but that is not a bad thing whatsoever.

Ultimately, the Knicks added two players who will contribute immediately on defense, but also have solid offensive potential. Depending on how the front office attacks free agency, we could see both of these rookies play a significant role next season.

The Knicks plugged two massive holes with brilliant NBA Draft execution

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miles mcbride, knicks

The New York Knicks clearly had a priority during the NBA draft, three-point shooting, and defense. Their selections are refined in both categories, specifically Miles McBride out of West Virginia and Houston stand out, Quentin Grimes.

The front office executed a flurry of trades, showing off their ability to work the system and add capital for the future. The team simply didn’t have the luxury of hosting four rookies next season, but with several players set to be utilized as trade pieces, the Knicks will likely have open roster spots for the taking.

In addition to several trade assets, the Knicks have upwards of six players hitting the free-agent market, so replacing them in some fashion was a necessity.

Knicks Draft Moves:

1.) Traded 19th pick to Hornets for future 1st rounder

2.) Traded 21st pick to Clippers for 25th pick and future 2nd round

3.) Traded 32nd pick to Oklahoma for 34th and 36th picks

Players selected:

G: Quentin Grimes, Houston

Quentin Grimes this past season:

-84th percentile in overall offense

-92nd percentile in transition

-86th percentile P&R ball handler

-70th percentile isolation

-72nd percentile off screens

-81st percentile on handoffs

G: Rokas Jokubaitis, Lithuania

-Combo guard

-Averaged 7.0 points per game in Euro League

-Faced off against good competition in Europe, showed signs of promise

PG: Miles McBride, West Virginia

-Defensively stout point guard

-Fits Tom Thibodeau’s system

-Solid shooter

-Biggest hands of any guard in draft class

-Shot above 41% from range last season

Taking a look at the biggest stand out traits:

McBride isn’t just a fantastic perimeter defender, he also shot 41% from three last season. He averages 15.9 points, 4.8 assists, and connected on 43% of his shots from the field. He is a high effort player who fits Thibodeau’s system perfectly. Allowing him to develop behind a veteran, potentially someone like Derrick Rose, will give him the confidence and time to adapt efficiently.

Grimes, on the other hand, is a perfect 3-and-D player for the Knicks, who could be outpaced in the Reggie Bullock sweepstakes. Grimes averaged 17.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and shot 40% front range last season. Featuring on one of the best defensive teams in college basketball, you can see the trend beginning to form here with Thibodeau’s strategy.

They clearly prioritized defense with offensive upside, depending on their coaching staff to extract value over time. Grimes has Alec Berks vibes on offense but offers far more on defense than the veteran contributed last season.

Aside from the two American-born players, the Knicks also landed Lithuanian native Rokas Jokubaitis. As a combo guard who featured in the Euro League last season, he has experience against better competition, which should allow him to translate nicely to the NBA.

One of his biggest selling points is defense, with the ability to play on and off-ball. With solid ballhandling and diversity in the back-court, his versatility should contribute toward playing time. Most didn’t anticipate the Knicks going this route, but they are looking for guards with potential, and both McBride and Jokubaitis offer just that.

New York Knicks Mock Draft 4.0: Packaging picks and finding impact players

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quentin grimes, knicks

With the NBA Draft just two days away, the New York Knicks are gearing up to potentially make a big move to acquire an impact player who can produce in year one. Last year, the team selected Obi Toppin 8th overall and Immanuel Quickley 32nd overall, surprisingly seeing more production out of their second pick. Quickley had himself a fantastic first year in the NBA, serving as a primary shooting guard and being tested as a point guard on occasion. He averaged 11.4 points, 2.0 assists, and shot 39% from three over 4.7 times per game.

This time around, the front office needs a player who will elevate his teammates, specifically Julius Randle, especially if the team is preparing to offer him a max contract. Someone who can facilitate and maximize the center position would be ideal, which leads us to one of the best passers and transition players in the draft class.

New York Knicks Mock Draft 4.0:

1.) Knicks package picks 19, 21, 58 moving up to No. 15 with the Washington Wizards, selecting Sharife Cooper

In this scenario, the Knicks move up four spots, selecting Sharife Cooper out of Auburn. Some might believe that Cooper isn’t worth being selected at 15, but if you have a player who you hold in high regard, it’s never too early to select them. Just think about all the players who teams have passed on over the years based on big boards.

Nonetheless, Cooper averaged 20.2 points, 8.1 assists, and shot 46% from the field this past season. From range, he only connected on 23%, but he is believed to be a far better shooter than statistics indicate.

While he’s a bit undersized at 6’1″, 180-pounds, Cooper is arguably the best assist man at the collegiate level, and the Knicks desperately need a point guard who can share the ball effectively while also creating shots of his own. Cooper has Trae Young potential, but of course, we can’t guarantee he will ever get to that level. He’s worth taking a big chance on, simply based on his vision and instincts.

2.) Knicks draft Quentin Grimes with the 32 overall pick out of Houston

After trading away three packs to move up to number 15, the Knicks settle at 32 with Houston shooting guard, Quentin Grimes.

The Knicks are reportedly intrigued by Grimes, who worked out with the team just a few days ago. At 6’4″, Grimes transferred from Kansas to Houston in 2019, and while some believe he could be a target in the mid-20s, in this scenario he drops to 32. He currently ranks as the 29th best player on ESPN’s Draft board.

With Houston this past season, Grimes averaged 17.8 points, shooting 40% from three, over 8.3 attempts. Averaging 32.8 minutes per game over 30 contests, Grimes is clearly prepared to take the next step in terms of live-action and endurance. It seems as if the front office keying in on shooters from range, and Grimes fits the bill nicely with the addition of adequate defense.

Knicks looking into lethal sharp-shooting prospects ahead of draft

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quentin grimes, knicks

The New York Knicks are doing tons of research on prospects ahead of the NBA draft on July 29, and with three first-round picks to spend, the team could look to package their selections together and move up or sit still and add several new players. The Knicks might not have enough roster spots to field three more rookies, but they brought in several options for personal workouts this past week to gauge their fit and overall make-up.

Marc Berman of the NY Post reported the Knicks are interested in Houston’s Quentin Grimes:

The Knicks reportedly worked out Virginia swingman Trey Murphy III on Tuesday, but The Post has learned that another wing who can shoot and defend wowed team brass two weeks ago at their Tarrytown facility.

Quentin Grimes, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard who transferred from Kansas to Houston in 2019, is on the Knicks’ radar with one of their first-round picks (No. 19 or No. 21) in the July 29 NBA draft.

A month ago, Grimes was thought to be more likely to be selected in the very late first-round or early second round. The Knicks have the 32nd pick (second in the second round), but it looks doubtful Grimes, a junior, will still be there.

It is clear the Knicks are prioritizing adding another high-end shooter, and Grimes averaged 17.8 points with Houston this past season, connecting on 40% of his 8.3 attempts from three. He also hit 40% from the field over 14.2 attempts per game. Averaging 32.8 minutes over 30 games, Grimes seems to be ready to take the next step to the NBA. At 6’5″ and 205 pounds, Grimes presents a lethal shooter if developed correctly.

SNY is reporting that the Knicks are working out Chris Duarte:

Another player, the Knicks, are reportedly interested in is Chris Duarte, a 6’6″, 190-pound guard out of the Dominican Republic. Duarte averaged 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and shot 42% over 5.5 times from three last year with Oregon. Averaging 34.1 minutes per game, Duarte projects as a versatile shot-maker but is currently 24 years old but older than the rest of the class. However, he has fantastic mechanics with great footwork, giving him a competitive edge at the next level.

He doesn’t exactly fit the 3-and-D style wing, given his lack of size, but he is a fantastic finisher who has the potential to be lethal from range. With Knicks’ small forward/shooting guard Reggie Bullock preparing to hit the open market, the team could be looking to replace him with a draft selection, but free agency presents plenty of options as well, including Golden State Warriors forward Kelly Oubre Jr.

Knicks could be targeting sharp-shooter Quentin Grimes at end of first round

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quentin grimes, knicks

With shooting guard/small forward Reggie Bullock preparing to hit the open market, the New York Knicks could be looking for a supplement in the NBA Draft. With just six days before the team has to make a decision on their draft selections, with three first-round picks, one player that has recently worked out with the Knicks is Houston’s, Quentin Grimes.

Marc Berman of the NY Post reported:

The Knicks reportedly worked out Virginia swingman Trey Murphy III on Tuesday, but The Post has learned that another wing who can shoot and defend wowed team brass two weeks ago at their Tarrytown facility.

Quentin Grimes, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard who transferred from Kansas to Houston in 2019, is on the Knicks’ radar with one of their first-round picks (No. 19 or No. 21) in the July 29 NBA draft.

A month ago, Grimes was thought to be more likely to be selected in the very late first-round or early second round. The Knicks have the 32nd pick (second in the second round), but it looks doubtful Grimes, a junior, will still be there.

Three years ago, Grimes was the No. 8 overall player in the ESPN Top 100, considered to be a one-and-done player at the college level. He was a five-star McDonald’s All-American player who ended up playing three years at the collegiate level. He spent time with Kansas and the past two seasons with Houston, elevating his game tremendously this past year over 30 contests. He averaged 17.8 points, 1.4 steals, 5.7 rebounds, and shot 40% from the field. His most impressive statistic, though, was his 40% shooting from range over 8.3 attempts per game.

Shooting so well with a high clip is exactly why the Knicks are considering him in the draft, despite him being projected as a second-round pick. After his solid workout and fantastic Combine performance, he is rising among prospects on the draft board and could find himself as a potential target with a 32nd overall pick, which the Knicks hold.

Reports have indicated that the front office is looking to package selections together and move up as high as possible, but that doesn’t guarantee they will utilize all three selections to move up. The Knicks could theoretically package two of their first-round picks together and still target a player like Grimes at the end of the first round.

According to Slam Online, Grimes gained essential knowledge from one of the league’s best offense of players, James Harden. The pre-draft process allowed him access to Harden, who often worked out at Houston’s facilities, which Grimes took advantage of.

“Just watching him in our gym to see what he works on, to see how that translates to the NBA game. Just trying to take his work ethic really and just try to be one of the best players in the League, hopefully, I can be that one day,” Grimes says over Zoom.

At 21 years old, Grimes has plenty of untapped potential, and the Knicks could be looking for him to make an impact during his rookie season as a lethal sharpshooter.