LAS VEGAS — A year ago at this time, Quentin Grimes was in the midst of an immensely impressive showing during the NBA summer league, five games in which he was one of the very best players.
That translated into a quality second NBA season for Grimes, who became a starter and contributor to the Knicks’ best season in a decade.
During summer league this year, the big question has been what moves, if any, they have left.
The Knicks are believed to be looking into adding at least a rotation player, which could have ramifications for Grimes’ future.
There is now a glut of guards and small wings on the roster, while there is a need on the wing.
Grimes’ role last season lessened following the trade-deadline acquisition of Josh Hart, and so far this offseason, the Knicks have signed another player at his position, Hart’s Villanova teammate Donte DiVincenzo.
The 23-year-old Grimes displayed progress as a 3-and-D guard, averaging 11.3 points and shooting 38.6 percent from 3-point range in 2022-23, though his rise really began last summer in Vegas.
The Knicks are fond of Grimes.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting how he fits on the 2023-24 team, or if he winds up being used in a trade to create a more balanced roster.
The Knicks have lacked hype and interest and have had basically no buzz during this summer league, which will conclude this weekend.
That’s the result of just one draft pick over the last two years — 2022 second-rounder Trevor Keels — and no projected rotation players.
The only regular Knick in attendance was Isaiah Hartenstein, for their first game.
Jaylen Martin, however, has been impressive and may have an NBA future.
The 19-year-old took a new route to get to this point, spending two years with Overtime Elite, a new high school league that offers financial compensation for players who choose to bypass college.
The 6-foot-6 wing, who played for former Knick Charlie Ward in high school at Florida State University School, is a developmental project.
He’ll spend most of next year in the G-League with the Westchester Knicks.
Martin sank the game-winning basket in the Knicks’ 82-80 win over the Magic on Wednesday and was a major bright spot through the first three games.
He looked like he belonged, which is saying something for a kid whose last game was against high school competition.
Missed shots and mistakes didn’t kill his confidence.
He kept shooting and attacking, averaging 13 points and 3.3 assists.
The Tallahassee, Fla., native has potential and upside.
The three biggest summer team players for the Knicks failed to leave much of an impression.
Keels, a restricted free agent, did not show much progress either as a defender or shot creator.
Isaiah Roby, who some have suggested could fill Obi Toppin’s role as the Knicks’ backup forward, failed to stand out, possibly in part because he still is working his way into game shape after only getting medically cleared two weeks ago following a severely sprained ankle.
And then there was DaQuan Jeffries, who looked primed for a huge summer league, notching 20 points, four rebounds and two blocks in the opener before he landed hard on his right hip during the third quarter of that game.
Jeffries split time last year between Westchester and the Knicks, and could’ve used the reps to improve his standing, either with Tom Thibodeau’s team or someone else.
The atmosphere Friday night for Victor Wembanyama’s heavily hyped debut didn’t feel like summer league.
It didn’t even feel like a regular-season NBA game.
The Thomas & Mack Center was electric and the crowd reacted to every Wembanyama touch with anticipation.
It was an event.
Before the No. 1 overall pick even took the floor, as he stood in the tunnel, his head nearly hitting the ceiling, the focus of everyone in the building was trained on the French phenom.
Then, he went out and laid a 2-for-13 egg, drawing nonsensical hot takes.
Two days later, Wembanyama responded with a strong performance, producing 27 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks, a reminder of his immense potential.
This seems as if it will take time.
He is just 19 years old with remarkable gifts for his size, but there are major adjustments Wembanyama is going to need to make. Putting on some muscle should be step No. 1.
He was moved around too easily at times. Wembanyama is going to have to learn to pick and choose when to put the ball on the floor.
He committed six turnovers in the two games.
Expectations should be measured.
His up-and-down summer league showing was a preview of what should be expected for his rookie year with the Spurs: moments of brilliance, followed by learning experiences.
