Kansas guard Quentin Grimes had a relatively disappointing freshman season, but he’s still an intriguing option for the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft.
Heading into the 2018-19 season, Quentin Grimes was one of the most talked about freshmen in the nation. He was ranked eighth on the 2018 ESPN 100, ahead of guys like Darius Garland, Tre Jones, Ashton Hagans and Coby White.
Grimes was originally projected by many to be a top-10 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, but a less-than-stellar freshman season has now dropped him likely into the second round. That’s good news for Chicago Bulls fans, though.
Even if Grimes had the type of freshman season many were hoping for, the Bulls probably wouldn’t have taken him with their first pick because he’s more of a combo guard than a point guard. He has good size (6’5″), he has a nice looking jumper and he’s super athletic, but he doesn’t fit well in the Bulls’ starting lineup. After all, they already have a score-first combo guard in Zach LaVine.
If the Bulls were to snag Grimes in the second round, it would be a steal for Chicago. It’s not like Grimes suffered any devastating injuries while at Kansas. He just seemed to struggle with his confidence and decision making – both are things that can be developed.
I expected Grimes to stay in college for another season and take one more year to develop under legendary coach Bill Self, but understandably, Grimes seems eager to play at the next level. It’s not a bad decision at all. He still has just as much potential as he had a year ago. He just didn’t showcase all that he can do. As long as he’s okay with being a second-round pick this year instead of a first-rounder next year, it’s fine that he’s leaving KU after one season.
The Bulls should seriously consider taking Grimes with their second-round pick. He’s the type of guy that can bolster the second unit and lead the Bulls’ bench out of the hole they’ve dug themselves into. He can play both off and on the ball, he’s unselfish and he has incredible defensive upside. Similar to guys like Ty Jerome and Naz Reid, Grimes wouldn’t be the sexy pick in the second round, but he’d sure be a good one.
If you’re looking for an NBA comparison for Quentin Grimes, take a look at Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris. Harris is way better than we could ever expect Grimes to be, but they have a lot of similarities in terms of style of play. If Grimes is ever half of what Gary Harris is now, he’d be a steal in the second round.