Kofi Inkoom
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Dallas Mavericks and the Detroit Pistons have agreed on a trade that will send veteran player Tim Hardaway Jr. and three second-round draft picks to the Pistons.
In return, Dallas will receive swingman Quentin Grimes. The draft picks involved are Toronto’s 2025 second-round pick and two second-round picks for 2028.
Dallas has already traded its own 2028 second-round pick, but they still hold Miami’s pick and the less favorable of the Clippers’ or Hornets’ selections for that year, which are likely the ones being sent to Detroit.
Marc Stein first hinted at this trade on Tuesday that the Pistons were interested in acquiring Tim. Now, the Mavericks can re-sign Derrick Jones, who has shown a willingness to remain with the team.
Trading Hardaway Jr. paved the way for this move. Dallas only has Non-Bird rights for Jones, limiting them to offering a contract just 20% above the minimum unless they use their mid-level exception.
By trading away Hardaway’s $16.2 million expiring contract and acquiring Quentin Grimes, who will earn around $4.3 million next season, the Mavericks will clear about $15 million in cap space below the first tax apron.
This move will enable Dallas to use the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception, estimated at $12.9 million, to sign Jones or another player.
The Mavericks made the NBA finals this year but fell short to the Boston Celtics in 5 games.