Is a Quentin Grimes leap on the horizon?

Can Quentin Grimes' game make a jump in 2023-24?

Image Credit: Yardbarker

Tom Thibodeau has alluded to the fact that we may see an increased offensive role from Quentin Grimes this season. I am of the opinion that Grimes has the highest offensive ceiling on the Knicks roster outside of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. I’m not sure that we will see that ceiling reached in the near future - given the makeup of the Knicks roster and the playstyle of the starting lineup - but that doesn’t mean we can’t see a sizable jump in production from Grimes in his third year. 

Grimes spent the offseason in the gym with JJ Redick and Penny Hardaway. It’s a bit symbolic to me because I can see JJ Redick being Grimes’ offensive floor and a version of Penny being Grimes’ offensive ceiling. Everything about Quentin Grimes’ jumpshot signals an elite shooter; his form is excellent and his release is about as quick as any I have ever seen. What makes him so dangerous though is his ability to attack closeouts. 

Defenders have to make a choice on the closeout. As Grimes’ decision making levels increase, he will become almost impossible to defend on closeouts. 

Quentin Grimes has the ability to be a devastating spot-up player, but it would be a shame to see his on-ball flashes go unutilized. With Brunson and Randle commanding much of the ball handling responsibilities, Grimes has only been able to flash shot-creating and playmaking in a limited capacity.

According to BBall-Index, Grimes is in the 11.8th percentile among all players in 2023 in time spent on-ball. Until Grimes is given more opportunity with the ball in his hands, it is difficult to see him reaching his full potential. 

Where Grimes can be maximized on offense in 2023-24 is in the Evan Fournier role; off-ball screens, DHOs, pindowns, and other creative ways to get the elite shooter a good look, or the ability to attack the closeout and get to the rim. When Grimes gets to the rim, he is elite at finishing. BBall-Index had him in the 95.8th percentile in rim finishing last season, among all NBA players. That number is substantial, but the volume needs to increase, as he was in only the 14th percentile in shot creation at the rim. 

Grimes averaged 11.3 PPG on 8.5 FGA and 5.7 3PA per game in 29.9 minutes per game. If those attempts jump up to around 10 FGA and 6 3PA per game, we could be looking at a 15 PPG scorer on great efficiency. 

It’s hard to expect more than that for this upcoming season due to the reasons I have explained, as well as the logjam of wings in the Knicks rotation. The only guaranteed minutes are those Brunson and Randle will be getting (35+ a game), and Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein splitting 48 minutes at center. That leaves about 122 minutes per game for Grimes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo. That’s 24.4 minutes per game for each player, but keep in mind three of these players averaged 30+ minutes last season. Knicks fans have been doing the math all summer and it’s clear that fitting it all together will be tough for Thibs to make work. 

I do believe Grimes will see a bulk of those minutes due to his elite complementary traits, defense and shooting. I also believe Grimes will also see an uptick in opportunity this season. Overall, I fully expect him to capitalize on that opportunity and establish himself as one of the guys who needs to be on the court as much as possible.

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