Quentin Grimes named to All-NBA Summer League First Team

Quentin Grimes made it to the All-NBA Summer League First Team after fueling the New York Knicks‘ runner-up finish.

Grimes was the focal point of the Knicks’ offense and defense in the Las Vegas showcase. The second-year guard showed tremendous improvement as a leader and showcased his playmaking and ability to put the ball on the floor, proving that he is more than just a 3-and-D player.

Grimes averaged a team-high 22.6 points and 3.4 3s per game on 41.4 percent overall shooting. He added 4.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists against 3.2 turnovers and 1.2 steals. He also yielded the highest net rating among the Knicks Summer League players with plus-10, meaning his team has outscored their opponents by 10 when he is on the floor.

But Grimes’ struggles in the Finals cost him the MVP trophy that went to Sacramento Kings rookie Keegan Murray.

Picked fourth overall in the recent draft, Murray led the Kings with 23.3 points and 3.5 3s on an efficient 50 percent overall shooting. The Kings’ rookie forward also averaged 7.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists against 2.5 turnovers and 1.3 steals. He was also tied for third overall in net rating with plus-14.

The Portland Trail Blazers, who won the championship, 85-77, zeroed in on Grimes in the Finals as they held him scoreless in the first quarter and limited him to just five points in the opening half. Grimes would still finish with a team-high 19 points but was on 5 for 16 from the floor.

Grimes and Murray were joined by Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas, Milwaukee Bucks’ forward Sandro Mamukelashvili and Houston Rockets rookie Tari Eason.

Where Grimes will go from here is still unclear.

His strong Summer League performance has put him on top the of the Utah Jazz’s wish list in a potential Donovan Mitchell trade with the Knicks. But if the talks bog down, Grimes should compete for a starting spot in the Knicks’ backcourt alongside newly acquired Jalen Brunson.

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