Ranking Leon Rose’s three best and worst moves as Knicks President

Best Move #2: Drafting Quentin Grimes 25th Overall

New York selected Grimes 25th in the 2021 draft after trading back from their 21st selection. Grimes was previously a highly-touted prospect coming into his freshman year at Kansas but struggled there mightily. The following year, he transferred to Houston, where he developed into a solid player during his sophomore and junior years.

Having aged two years, though, his draft stock was lower than it had been, meaning the Knicks were able to steal an NBA-ready talent late in the first round. While Grimes didn’t play a huge role in his rookie season, he would see a big increase in playing time his second year in the league, logging 30 minutes per game across 71 regular-season games.

Like many of the Knicks’ players, the stats might not jump out to you at 11 points, 3 rebounds, and two assists per game, but Grimes’ impact goes beyond the stat sheet. He has a unique skill set, being able to impact the game while barely having the ball in his hands. Grimes ranks 5th in the league in making quick-decision passes, an underrated yet key skill in today’s NBA. Defensively, his impact is even greater, providing tenacity that few players can match.

Grimes is truly the definition of a team player, being able to play to his full potential no matter who he’s playing with. This should make him a long-term keeper for New York, no matter what the front office has in store moving forward.