“Watching Klay has been huge for me": Quentin Grimes on lessons from Klay Thompson, meshing with Luka-Kyrie and more (Exclusive)
When Quentin Grimes arrived in Dallas this summer as part of a trade with the Detroit Pistons, it marked a turning point in the Mavericks’ roster strategy. The deal sent veteran Tim Hardaway Jr. and three future second-round picks to Detroit, bringing Grimes to Dallas to bolster the team's defensive versatility and scoring punch as it looked to rebound from its 2024 NBA Finals loss.
Early in December, Grimes emerged as a key contributor to the Mavericks. Since being left out of the rotation against the Denver Nuggets on November 10, he has averaged 12.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 13 games. He’s delivered three 20-point performances in those games—a milestone he never reached last season. He's making an all-around impact that goes beyond the box score.
"Yeah, I think the little things we talk about defensively, on-ball defense, he does that really well for us," Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said about Grimes. "Being able to come back and rebound as a guard. He helps us in that department. And then on the offensive end, playing with the pace, being able to knock down a three. And then, as you can see, his ability to put it on the floor and get to the rim and finish."
Quentin Grimes' Early Adjustment to Mavericks
Grimes credits his improvement to finding comfort within the Mavericks’ system and embracing his role on both ends of the court. As the team has played through the regular season, he's continued to learn the system's nuances, which has only helped him elevate his game on both ends.
“I’ve felt a lot more comfortable with every game I play,” Grimes told Sportskeeda. “Every time I step on the court, I feel like I know exactly what I’m doing offensively and defensively. It’s about getting more reps and becoming more familiar with everything, and I feel like I’m doing that every time I’m out there.”
For Grimes, the transition took a little bit of time. Joining a team with superstars like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving requires learning their timing and rhythm, especially with Doncic missing the whole preseason due to injury. However, once that occurs, the game becomes much easier for everyone on the floor.
"“It only took me a couple games, especially since we didn’t have Luka for preseason and training camp, to get a feel for them," Grimes told Sportskeeda. "Both have an insane amount of skill and can dominate at any time."
Grimes has learned the main difference between Irving's and Doncic's brilliant styles is that Irving aggressively pushes the pace to utilize his speed. The movement is quick. Meanwhile, Doncic prefers to control the pace and be methodical, patiently creating advantages by making the defense commit to specific rotations and understanding how the play will develop.
“Kyrie pushes the pace—he’s super fast and quick. Luka is more decisive, kind of likes to slow the game down, lull guys to sleep," Grimes detailed to Sportskeeda. "Luka will hit you at any time on the court, so you just have to stay ready. Kyrie will push the ball up, and he’ll go to work. Once you get a feel for their styles, it makes it easier to get into a rhythm.”
Grimes highlighted the tight-knit nature of the Mavericks’ roster as an essential factor in making the transition easier. Despite having new teammates and no shortage of injuries, the Mavericks hold a 16-8 record while ranking fourth in offensive rating (117.2) and eighth in defensive rating (109.9).
“It’s definitely important, especially with so many new guys and learning a new offense and defensive scheme,” he told Sportskeeda. “But I feel like we’ve come together as a tight group, even with all the new faces. That’s been a big positive for us.”
On defense, Grimes has adapted quickly to the Mavericks’ schemes and has proven his versatility by guarding a wide range of players, from bigs like Karl-Anthony Towns in the post to Stephen Curry coming off screens. His presence has been helpful for a team that lost Derrick Jones Jr. in the offseason.
"I think it’s about using my quickness and size to my advantage," Grimes told Sportskeeda. "’I’m pretty quick and have a strong frame, so I can bang with bigger guys and chase smaller guards like Steph."
Grimes attributes his time with the New York Knicks under head coach Tom Thibodeau and his tenure at the University of Houston with head coach Kelvin Sampson to becoming a defender who can handle challenging assignments.
“Early on in my career, I got tough assignments, especially playing for Thibs with the Knicks. That helped me learn how to play NBA defense against superstars," Grimes explained to Sportskeeda. "Playing for Coach Sampson back at U of H, where we had to compete every day in practice, also prepared me for this. It’s all about giving 110 percent every time.”
When the Knicks were in Dallas, Thibodeau described Grimes as an elite defender but emphasized the importance of health. Grimes's presence on the court and in the locker room is invaluable, and he's added to his skill set every season he's been in the NBA.
“The big thing for Quentin is his health,” Thibodeau said. “He’s an elite defender. He can shoot the ball. He’s great at transition. He’s a really good player. Like with most players, each year, he’s added experience. He’s a gym rat, so he’s always going to get better. He’s got to learn his teammates, but I think this is a great system for him. He’s a terrific player and a great person as well.”
Finding His Offensive Rhythm
Grimes’ offensive game has also flourished, thanks to the Mavericks’ unselfish system and his willingness to adapt. He has particularly excelled at attacking closeouts and taking advantage of defensive lapses. Not only did he have a career-long stretch of 20-point performances with three consecutive, but he's performing with great efficiency—shooting 49.6% overall and 43.4% from deep.
Grimes has been instrumental in finding the proper balance between taking the open shot and aggressively attacking the paint. The Mavericks have emphasized to their perimeter role players the importance of attacking the paint, either to finish at the rim, draw a foul, or draw help and throw a lob to the big.
“It’s about putting pressure on the defense,” Grimes explained to Sportskeeda. “Whether it’s attacking the rim, drawing fouls, or setting up a lob for someone like Lively, it forces the defense to make tough decisions. That pressure makes our job a lot easier and opens up opportunities for us to score.”
Grimes also emphasized the importance of watching film before games, praising the coaching staff for helping him to maximize his impact in his role. He has the utmost confidence in his talent, whether attacking a closeout or shooting.
“The coaches have helped me out a tremendous amount,” Grimes told Sportskeeda. “They’ve given me the confidence to shoot any shot I want, attack closeouts, and just make plays for anybody.”
Playing alongside veterans like Thompson has provided Grimes with valuable learning opportunities. During training camp at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Grimes mentioned how valuable it was to get into drill groups with Thompson to learn nuances about his approaches. He said Thompson’s mindset and consistency have been particularly impactful.
“Watching Klay has been huge for me,” Grimes shared with Sportskeeda. “Whether he’s having a great shooting night or a rough one, he has no conscience—he keeps shooting like it’s going to go in every time. That’s big for shooters like me. Seeing his consistency and his mentality, where every shot is taken with confidence, has helped me focus on impacting the game and trusting my work. The shots will fall because of the effort you put in.”
Looking Ahead at Quentin Grimes' fit for Dallas
As the Mavericks prepare to face the Toronto Raptors on Saturday, they aim to extend their season-best winning streak to seven games. Grimes’ continued development has been instrumental in Dallas’ recent success, showcasing his ability to step up offensively while maintaining his defensive edge.
From finding his place in the Mavericks’ system to thriving in a role that demands versatility, Grimes has proven a valuable asset. His growth exemplifies the depth and chemistry that have made Dallas one of the league’s hottest teams as they continue their push through the regular season.