What is a fair trade package from the Wizards for Quentin Grimes?
Due to Grimes' extremely team-friendly contract that is only paying him $2.3 million for this season, salary-matching in a potential trade scenario could be a challenge. Because of this, including Evan Fournier's $18.8 million salary as part of the deal is a near-must. By agreeing to take on Fournier's negative-value contract, the Wizards could get a deal done by giving up relatively few assets.
This trade could be constructed in two different ways; one as part of a larger trade involving Kyle Kuzma where the Wizards receive future assets, or one where the Wizards end up giving draft compensation.
If the Knicks were interested in trading for Kuzma, a potential deal could look like this:
The Knicks add another high-level starter and fill a need for more size at the forward position. The Wizards not only add Grimes to their young core, but get a future first-round pick. Depending on the protections negotiated on that pick, it could be highly valuable. Plus, Fournier could be overpaid, but he could certainly help Washington with his shooting and secondary playmaking.
Another trade scenario would be of smaller scale. Washington would still receive Grimes and Fournier, but would give up a future draft pick.
This scenario still helps the Knicks offload Fournier and his contract, while adding an expiring contract in Delon Wright, and a Landry Shamet contract that is non-guaranteed after this season. This allows New York to maintain their financial flexibility going forward. Plus, they get an additional protected first-round pick that the Wizards initially acquired from the Golden State Warriors last offseason in the Jordan Poole trade.
It's currently unclear whether the New York Knicks have any intention of trading Quentin Grimes. The fact that he fell out of favor and is only playing 22.7 minutes per game after averaging 30 minutes last season would suggest that he is acquirable. Perhaps the asking price would be unreasonable but the Washington Wizards should certainly inquire about his availability.