Report: Mavericks, Pistons Talking Trade

It's been fairly common knowledge for some time now that the Dallas Mavericks would like to move on from Tim Hardaway Jr. and the $16 million he's owed next season. NBA Insider Marc Stein is now reporting that a deal is being discussed that would send Hardaway to the Detroit Pistons, with former New York Knick Quentin Grimes as a potential part of the return.

Quentin Grimes is a potential outgoing piece in a trade to Dallas that would send Tim Hardaway Jr. to Detroit, per @TheSteinLine pic.twitter.com/QvWwnlpSW3

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 25, 2024

This deal would allow the Mavericks to get a good rotation player for their backcourt, while, perhaps more importantly, opening up the $12.9 million mid-level exception to re-sign Derrick Jones Jr.

Jones was one of the Mavs top defenders, and would have been a consideration for the NBA All-Defensive Team if not for some bizarre minutes and games requirements the league has instituted to be eligible for the honor. 

Jones played 76 games for the Mavs, 66 as a starter, averaging 23 minutes a night, and was often tasked with guarding the opposition's top perimeter offensive option. But he's an impending unrestricted free agent, and the Mavs are desperate to hang on to him.

As for Hardaway Jr., he would add a veteran presence for the young Pistons, coming off his third straight season averaging just over 14 points per game. 

Grimes was acquired at the trade deadline by Detroit under the previous Pistons' regime, so it's unclear how much playing time he'd receive as the the team moves forward with a new coach and new management, making him expendable as a trade piece if this purported deal was to come to fruition.

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