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Knicks president Leon Rose didn’t get his 3-point priority shooting wing in the first round, but he strategically traded and got a solid two-way guard that may have been undervalued.
After trading their two first-round picks at 19 and 21 to store more futures, the Knicks took Quentin Grimes, the University of Houston’s 6-foot-4 shooting guard, to No. 25 in Thursday’s draft.
According to a source, the Knicks have been impressed with Grimes’ training this month. They liked his size, shot and tenacity in defense. He was one of three NCAA players this season to score 100 3-pointers. He shot 40.3% from depth and averaged 17.9 points.
Grimes transferred from Kansas to Houston in 2019. Six weeks ago he was believed to be more likely to be selected early in the second round.
The Knicks’ priority was a scoring fin, but all of their best guys were off the board, including Oregon sniper Chris Duarte, taken at No.13 by Indiana. All attempts at exchange were rejected.
After trading the No.19 pick in Charlotte for a future first round, the Rose Knicks then traded the 21st pick to the Clippers and reclaimed the 25th and a second round from LA in 2024.
These are two more future pawns to launch in a potential successful trade if Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal become available.
The Clippers took custody of Tennessee Keon Johnson at No. 21. Charlotte took Texas center Kai Jones at No. 19 instead of the Knicks. And the Knicks took Grimes with the 25th pick.
Grimes is also one of only two NCAA players to make the top 10 for offensive and defensive ratings, and the scouts deem him ready for the NBA.
The Boy Scouts don’t see Grimes as a potential star, but during the NBA combination last month, he likely played his part in the first-round consideration as a solid player.
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Grimes has had a strange journey. He was named as a player of choice in the lottery when he joined the Jayhawks as a freshman. He tested the draft waters, but was transferred to Houston after a disappointing first year.
The last shooting wing the Knicks were enjoying came off the board at No.17 when the Pelicans brought in Trey Murphy of Virginia, to moan from the crowd at the Barclays Center. Duke’s little forward Jalen Johnson was on the board but had too much baggage and left the team in February. Atlanta took Johnson with the 20th pick.
The Knicks tried to move up to 13th overall to draft Duarte, but didn’t offer enough Indiana. The Pacers have seized the 3-point machine which plays a robust defense. Indiana may have taken Baylor point guard Davion Mitchell, another trade target, at No.13, but he was off the board at No.9.
The Knicks also lost a target in Stanford first-year winger Ziaire Williams, who took 10th overall. Even Oklahoma City playmaker Tre Mann of Florida was someone the Knicks had envisioned – No. 21.
Last year, the Knicks offered their 33rd pick with point guard Theo Maledon on the board for a future second round.
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