On January 31st, the Dallas Mavericks had just reached Ohio from Michigan, where they embarrassingly lost to the Detroit Pistons 102-117. Now, the Mavericks were slated to face the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Rocket Arena, which was their third of a five-game road trip. It was just another day at the office for all the players, including Quentin Grimes. Everyone checked into their rooms as usual and hit the bed to get some rest. However, no one was aware of what was going to happen that night. Something that would go on to change the franchise’s history forever.
Former Mavericks player Quentin Grimes was enjoying his favorite chicken wings in his hotel room when, all of a sudden, his phone started buzzing, close to midnight. Despite being a bit reluctant at first, Grimes thought it might be an emergency. He picked up, and on the other end was his close friend, who broke some surprising news. Luka Doncic was getting traded to the LA Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. In the latest episode of The Young Man and the Three, Grimes revealed his and his teammates’ initial reactions upon hearing the news. Well, the player, just like many might have, thought his friend was joking. So, he did what many might’ve done in the situation: check the internet.
Soon, it became clear that the news was true — Doncic was headed to LA. Just ten seconds later, Grimes heard several noises outside his room. “I heard like 10 like maybe like 10 seconds later all I hear in the hallway is like “Hey yo what the f–k?” And I’m like I look at my door and it’s uh it’s Naji (Marshall), D Live (Dereck Lively II), I think PJ (Washington), and we just like looking at each other. We like yo like what the [ __ ] just happened d Live is like “What’s what’s going on man?” I’m like, “Bro, I have no clue what just happened.” Grimes stated.
All four Mavericks stars were left wondering what had just happened. Each one of them was in shock as soon as they heard about the trade. They couldn’t comprehend what had just happened. This also goes to show the sheer amount of secrecy the Mavericks’ front office maintained while executing this massive trade. Grimes also pointed out that before that, they got a text message for a meeting.
“The funny thing is we had got a text around like 9:30, it was like mandatory players and staff meeting, we like ‘What the hell?” Like that means somebody is getting traded. Like something must have happened.” Grimes revealed. While the players anticipated that something was supposed to happen, no one in their wildest dreams saw the Luka Doncic trade coming. And yet, while Grimes was left scratching his head upon hearing Luka Doncic’s trade news, he did not know a similar fate awaited him as well.
Quentin Grimes expresses his feelings on his exit from Dallas
Indeed, something big happened that night, with the Dallas Mavericks trading a player everyone thought was “untouchable”. But the front office was not done trading just yet. Just two days after making arguably the biggest trade in recent memory and sending the city’s talisman to LA, they wanted something more. What next? Well, the Mavericks traded Quentin Grimes plus a future second-round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for Caleb Martin. Another shocking move, but Grimes was mentally prepared for anything to happen after he saw Doncic make his way to LA.
Feb 26, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) drives to the basket against New York Knicks center Ariel Hukporti (55) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Grimes explained how he felt when he found out he was the next player to leave Dallas. “It just kind of like it was like once I think we talked a little bit with a couple guys on the team, he was like “Luka got traded, anybody could get traded now.” Like you know what I mean, you think certain guys are untouchable, and then that happened, and he was just like, I mean, if anybody’s expendable now, you know what I mean, like it is what it is. I didn’t really think it would be me, but you know what I mean, just kind of having to work like that.” Grimes said.
As soon as Luka exited Dallas, each person sitting in the locker room knew no one was safe. However, it was still a surprise to see Grimes leave. The 24-year-old forward was just brought in last season, and big things were expected of him.
In fact, the Mavericks acquired him after trading Tim Hardaway Jr. and three second-round picks. Moreover, Grimes was making decent progress, averaging 10.2 points in 47 games. However, Nico Harrison and Co. thought otherwise, as they did not hesitate to send him to Philly. Since then, this move has been a blessing in disguise for the 76ers.
Grimes has exploded in the Sixers uniform, averaging 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. While Nico Harrison recently stated that he has “no regrets” from the Luka Doncic trade, everyone disagreed. This also seems to be the case with Quentin Grimes’s move, which feels like another talent wasted by Dallas’ poor management.
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