If the manner in which the Philadelphia 76ers handled Quentin Grimes' restricted free agency is a sign of things to come, then they should seriously consider a trade for Dalton Knecht. It's a financially plausible move that would bring in a cost-efficient talent on a multi-year deal while mitigating the risk of Grimes' 2026 period of free agency.
It's unclear if the Los Angeles Lakers would be interested in such a move, but if Grimes truly isn't a part of the 76ers' plans, then Knecht would be a perfect replacement.
Grimes recently ended an agonizingly long period of restricted free agency by accepting his qualifying offer for the 2025-26 season. Philadelphia did itself no favors when it offered him a four-year, $39 million contract that would've hardly paid him more per season than the $8.7 million he ultimately accepted.
In the process, the 76ers made a statement, whether inadvertently or otherwise, that Grimes isn't necessarily a player they're eager to keep in town.
There were financial elements to consider, as the 76ers were dangerously close to the second apron. In saying that, more could've been done to find common ground with Grimes and establish a path toward a mutually beneficial outcome.
Having opted to follow a different path forward, the 76ers must seriously consider their trade options—and Knecht is the perfect player to pursue.
If 76ers aren't high on Quentin Grimes, they should aim for Dalton Knecht
Grimes is listed at 6'4" and 210 pounds, has a quietly well-rounded arsenal as a scorer, and boasts a career three-point field goal percentage of 37.5. He erupted to the tune of 21.9 points per game after being traded to the 76ers in 2024-25, and averaged 14.6 on the season.
There's more to Grimes' game than scoring numbers and percentages, but the essential goal in trading him must be bringing back a wing with size, shooting, and scoring versatility.
Knecht checks those boxes as a second-year player stuck in something of a disadvantageous situation in his own right. He excelled as a rookie, averaging 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.6 three-point field goals made per game on .461/.376/.762 shooting.
The 6'6" Knecht ranked No. 1 among rookies in three-point field goals made per 36 minutes, No. 3 in points per 36, and No. 2 in eFG%.
By swapping Grimes for Knecht, the 76ers would have a chance to continue Knecht's development in a potentially high-volume role. It's certainly worth exploring his potential after he shot 37.4 percent on catch-and-shoot threes and 39.7 on pull-up attempts in 2024-25.
Knecht also posted two 30-point games, including a 37-point eruption, and seven total outings with at least 20 points despite exceeding 30 minutes of playing time on just 12 occasions.
It must be reiterated that trading Grimes only makes sense if the 76ers are looking to move on from him. If that proves to be the case, then swapping him for an up-and-coming wing on a rookie-scale contract who's already productive and efficient would be a no-brainer of a deal.
It'd still be ideal for the 76ers to properly value Grimes, but they need to seriously consider adding a cost-efficient talent like Knecht in his place if they don't intend to re-sign him.