In the past, Dallas has thrived with at least three playmakers. Can Grimes step up next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving?

Life without star guard Luka Doncic likely would be a lot harder for the Dallas Mavericks if it weren't for Quentin Grimes. Grimes has stepped up over the past seven games with Doncic sidelined by a left calf strain.

Former New York Knicks wing Quentin Grimes is reminding his critics of why the hype train gained steam in the first place.

The Mavericks, with Grimes leading the charge, took out LeBron James and the Lakers and also ended a five-game losing streak Tuesday night.

Quentin Grimes scored a game-high 23 points off the bench, including six 3-pointers, helping the Dallas Mavericks beat the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 118-97 on Tuesday.

Life without star guard Luka Doncic likely would be a lot harder for the Dallas Mavericks if it weren't for Quentin Grimes. Grimes has stepped up over the past seven games with Doncic sidelined by ...

Quentin Grimes scored a game-high 23 points off the bench, including six 3-pointers, helping the Dallas Mavericks beat the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 118-97 on Tuesday. Grimes also had nine ...

Making the performance against Los Angeles all the more impressive was the fact that Grimes came off the bench. A 6-for-11 showing from beyond the arc led to 18 of his points, and the 24-year-old ...

Grimes was chosen with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and had his rights traded on draft night to the New York Knicks, where he spent his first three seasons in the league. Last year, Grimes was dealt to the Detroit Pistons at the deadline, where he played just six games before an injury cut his season short.

There's no doubt that the Mavericks are proving to be a legitimate contender in the Western Conference, when their superstar trio is healthy.

If the Mavs want to avoid trading Grimes, they'd have to include two of Olivier Maxence-Prosper ($2.8 million), Spencer Dinwiddie ($2 million), Markieff Morris ($2 million), and Jaden Hardy ($2 million).

The Mavericks have had some ups and downs. Will they make moves for the better as February's trade deadline draws near?