The Minnesota Timberwolves have been one of the Western Conference’s most intriguing stories this season - a team with elite defensive chops, star power in the starting five, and real potential to make noise come playoff time. But if there’s one area that still needs shoring up, it’s the backcourt - specifically, the point guard spot.
That’s been a frequent topic in trade circles and understandably so. A more dynamic floor general would undoubtedly raise the Wolves’ ceiling.
But there's another area flying a bit more under the radar: bench scoring. Outside of the ever-reliable Naz Reid, Minnesota just hasn’t gotten consistent punch from its second unit. That’s where Quentin Grimes enters the conversation.
Grimes, currently with the Philadelphia 76ers, was recently highlighted as a top trade fit for the Timberwolves on Sam Vecenie’s updated NBA Trade Board for the 2025-26 season. He’s slotted at No. 5 overall - ahead of names like Kristaps Porzingis, RJ Barrett, and CJ McCollum - and for good reason.
At 25 years old and in his fifth NBA season, Grimes is no stranger to trade talks - or the trades themselves. In fact, he’s been on the move three times in less than a year.
He went from the Knicks to the Pistons in February 2024, then to the Mavericks in July, and finally landed with the 76ers in early February of this year. That kind of movement would rattle a lot of players, but Grimes has responded by producing some of the best basketball of his career.
Through 25 games with Philadelphia - six of them starts - Grimes is averaging 15.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. He’s played a key role in keeping the Sixers afloat during stretches when Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and Joel Embiid were sidelined.
In fact, during the back half of last season, Grimes exploded for 21.9 points per game across 28 outings with Philly, including two monster performances where he dropped 46 and 44 points. That kind of scoring ability off the bench is exactly what Minnesota’s been missing.
If the Wolves were to land Grimes, he’d immediately slot in as the second-most impactful reserve behind Reid. He’s logging 32.8 minutes per game this season - a number that would likely dip in Minnesota’s rotation - but the quality of his minutes would matter more than the quantity. Mike Conley currently holds the second-highest average minutes off the bench for the Wolves at 19.1 (excluding his five starts), so there’s a clear opportunity for someone like Grimes to carve out a meaningful role.
And it wouldn’t be a completely unfamiliar locker room for Grimes, either. He spent two and a half seasons in New York playing alongside Julius Randle, and it was Donte DiVincenzo who eventually took over his starting shooting guard role with the Knicks during the 2023-24 campaign. That kind of prior chemistry - and the chip on his shoulder from being moved around - could serve him well in a new environment like Minnesota.
So why would Philadelphia even consider moving him?
It comes down to long-term roster construction. The Sixers are already heavily invested in their backcourt.
Tyrese Maxey is locked into a five-year, $203.85 million deal signed in 2024. Jared McCain, their 2024 first-round pick (No. 16 overall), looked like a Rookie of the Year favorite before his injury.
And VJ Edgecombe, the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft, has been one of the most impressive rookies in the league so far.
That’s a lot of young talent in the same position group - and it makes it tricky to justify a long-term contract for Grimes, especially when he’s currently on a one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer. If Philly doesn’t see him as part of their future, flipping him before the trade deadline makes a lot of sense - and gives them a chance to recoup value rather than lose him for nothing in free agency.
For Grimes, this would just be another chapter in what’s already been a whirlwind career. But for the Timberwolves, it could be the kind of under-the-radar move that pays real dividends down the stretch.
Adding a proven scorer who can create his own shot, contribute on both ends, and bring some edge to the second unit? That’s the kind of depth that turns contenders into real threats.