NBA
By Zach Braziller
July 13, 2023 | 11:35 p.m
LAS VEGAS – A year ago, at this point, Quentin Grimes put on a very impressive performance during the NBA Summer League, being one of the top players in five games.
That meant a quality second NBA season for Grimes, who became a regular and a contributor to the Knicks’ best season in a decade.
During this year’s summer league, the big question was what, if any, changes are left.
The Knicks are believed to be considering adding at least one rotation player, which could have implications for Grimes’ future.
There is now an oversupply of guards and small wings in the roster while there is demand on the wing.
Grimes’ role last season has diminished following the acquisition of Josh Hart at the close, and so far this offseason the Knicks have signed another player to his position, Hart’s Villanova teammate Donte DiVincenzo.
The 23-year-old Grimes has shown progress as a 3-and-D guard with an 11.3-point average and a 38.6 percent shot rate from 3-point range in the 2022-23 season, though his promotion was actually the latter Summer in Las Vegas began.
The Knicks like Grimes.
Quentin Grimes’ future with the Knicks is in doubt now that the team is heavily staffed by guards.Noah K. Murray/NY Post
Still, it will be interesting to see how he fits into the 2023-24 team or if he ends up being used in a trade to create a more balanced roster.
The Knicks lacked hype and interest, and they basically had no enthusiasm in this summer league, which concludes this weekend.
That’s the result of just one draft pick in the past two years — 2022 second-round pick Trevor Keels — and no planned rotation of players.
The only regular kink in attendance was Isaiah Hartenstein on her first game.
However, Jaylen Martin was impressive and could have an NBA future.
To get to this point, the 19-year-old embarked on a new path, spending two years at Overtime Elite, a new high school league that offers financial compensation to players who choose to skip college.
The 6-foot-6 winger, who played for former Knick Charlie Ward in high school at Florida State University School, is a developmental venture.
He will spend most of next year in the G-League with the Westchester Knicks.
Martin made the game-winning basket in the Knicks’ 82-80 win over the Magic on Wednesday and was a bright spot in the first three games.
He looked like he belonged, which is saying something for a boy whose last game was against his high school opponents.
Missed shots and mistakes have not affected his self-confidence.
Jaylen Martin was solid for the Knicks during Summer League. NBAE via Getty Images
He kept shooting and attacking, averaging 13 points and 3.3 assists.
A native of Tallahassee, Florida, he has potential and opportunity.
The Knicks’ three greatest summer team players didn’t make much of an impression.
Keels, a restricted free agent, hasn’t shown much progress either as a defender or as a goalscorer.
Isaiah Roby, who some suspected could fill Obi Toppin’s role as the Knicks’ backup forward, failed to excel, possibly in part because he’s still working his way into game form after suffering a serious ankle sprain just before two weeks was medically cleared .
And then there was DaQuan Jeffries, who seemed poised for a big summer league game, grabbing 20 points, four rebounds and two blocks in the opening game before landing hard on the right hip in the third quarter of the game.
Isaiah Roby didn’t stand out during the Knicks’ Summer League.NBAE via Getty Images
Jeffries split time between Westchester and the Knicks last year and could have used the replays to improve his standing, either with Tom Thibodeau’s team or someone else’s.
The atmosphere at Victor Wembanyama’s acclaimed debut on Friday night didn’t feel like a summer league.
It didn’t even feel like an NBA regular season game.
The Thomas & Mack Center was electrifying and the audience responded with anticipation to every Wembanyama touch.
It was an event.
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a floater over Ibou Badji and Michael Devoe of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of a 2023 NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center on July 9, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images
Before the No. 1 overall win even got the word out, everyone in the building was focused on the French phenomenon as he stood in the tunnel and almost touched the ceiling.
He then walked out and laid a 2 for 13 egg, resulting in nonsensical hot takes.
Two days later, Wembanyama responded with a strong display, scoring 27 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks, showing his immense potential.
It seems like it will take some time.
He’s only 19 and has remarkable talent for his size, but there are big adjustments Wembanyama need to make. Building muscle should be step #1.
He moved too easily at times. Wembanyama must learn to pick the right moment and put the ball on the ground.
He recorded six turnovers in the two games.
Expectations should be measured.
His mixed summer league performance was a foretaste of what awaits him in his rookie year at Spurs: moments of brilliance followed by learning.
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