Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau played coy ahead of Friday’s matchup in Boston, saying there “could be” lineup changes in store (Twitter link via Steve Popper of Newsday).
However, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports (via Twitter) that Donte DiVincenzo will start at shooting guard in place of Quentin Grimes. Stefan Bondy of The New York Post confirms the news (Twitter link).
It’s a noteworthy development for multiple reasons. Grimes has been struggling lately, scoring just 16 points on 5-of-28 shooting over his last seven games, and he expressed frustration with his limited role in the team’s offense following Tuesday’s in-season tournament quarterfinal loss to Milwaukee.
“It’s just hard when you go the whole quarter without touching the ball, the whole second quarter without touching the ball, and then you get one shot and you got to make it,” Grimes said. “So it’s tough going out there and just standing in the corner the whole game. Then you got to make the shot when you shoot the ball one or two times per game. It is what it is.”
DiVincenzo, on the other hand, has been on a heater of late, averaging 11.4 points while shooting 51.8% from three-point range over his past nine contests, including a pair of starts when Grimes was injured. DiVincenzo was New York’s primary offseason addition, signing a four-year, $47MM contract to join the Knicks in free agency.
Grimes, 23, was the 25th pick of the 2021 draft. Known as a solid defender, he averaged 11.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists on .468/.386/.796 shooting in 71 games last season (66 starts, 29.9 minutes). In ’23/24, his numbers are down across the board — he has posted 5.8 PPG, 1.3 RPG and 1.2 APG on .359/.345/.667 shooting in 18 games, all starts (22.9 MPG).
Part of the reason Grimes is playing fewer minutes is due to the team’s crowded wing rotation, with RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Josh Hart also in the mix. And he’s not the only player who has shown a level of frustration with a reduced role — Hart made similar comments last week, though he made a point to say he wasn’t a “disgruntled player.”
It will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds. Perhaps Grimes will have more on-ball opportunities with the second unit, with Katz recently suggesting the third-year guard could look to be more active off the ball too.
Weeeelll …… what you expect…..
Yeah, this isn’t the way to go in my opinion. Donte is fine off the bench, but in no way is he worth starter minutes. This is a setback for Grimes who should be a bit more selfish and shoot the ball more. Not a fan of the move.
Running with the bench could give him more chances, especially against the Celtics’ underwhelming reserves. Good move… I think
I agree, but hopefully in the second unit, Grimes can get more opportunities. IQ is really the only shoot-first guy. Hartenstein and Hart like to pass.
Really hoping this is something like where Grimes doesn’t start but still gets more minutes than Divo, and not something like with Fournier, where he’s slowly phased out.
Donte gives the Knicks a traditional PG on the floor in the starting unit.
Brunson plays a methodical game using foot work to score in the paint. If he doesn’t have a good shot he passes to the open shooter on the perimeter.
While Brunson is leading the Knicks in scoring the Knicks are in the bottom 5 in team APG.
Donte did a fantastic job in this role last year for the Dubs with over 4APG. The slippage won’t be too bad on D replacing Grimes either.
The plethora of catch and shoot 3’s Donte has been scoring will now be Grimes shots and I think he will make most of the opportunity.
I like the hustle of Grimes and Hart on the 2nd unit. They may help each other find their roles on this roster, ironically.
Good move by Thibs for the interim.
This is temporary. The guy in the starting unit who needs to be replaced is RJ. I think the Knicks will trade RJ and 2 protected FRPs to Chicago for DeMar DeRozan.
DeRozan can orchestrate the offense and give the Knicks a go-to clutch scorer.
Grimes then re-enters the starting unit. Donte back to bench.
The Knicks window to win is now. DeRozan is thus worth more in that pursuit to the Knicks than RJ Barrett even though he has 10 solid years of play ahead of him.
Knicks can then resign DeRozan to a 2 yr 90M contract with the salary they offload in RJ and Fournier.
Jalen Brunson is going to be an All-Star this season as he “orchestrates the Knicks offense” and also gives them a very clutch go-to scorer. I don’t see DeRozan as a point guard.
I do remember Quinton Grimes killed my Celtics last year from three.