Ex-Jazz reporter urges Utah to use cap space on tantalizing free agent swingman

Unless the Utah Jazz acquire someone whose contract extends past 2026, they are poised to become a cap space team this offseason. The player who has been floated most as a target has been Austin Reaves, but he will be expensive. One player whose of a similar archetype who wouldn't cost as much is Quentin Grimes.

Former Jazz reporter Tony Jones suggested both that the Jazz should add Grimes while also floating how much they should pay him.

Jones added that he believes Grimes would fit right in as a Jazzman.

There hasn't been any intel that the Jazz have interest in Grimes yet, but Jones confirmed his belief that he will likely stick around with the Philadelphia 76ers regardless.

Grimes broke out with the Sixers after they acquired him last season, but his restricted free agency limited his options. This season, he hasn't been as good from a numbers standpoint, but one: the Sixers have been considerably better, and two: he still has been productive in their rotation. If anything, it proves that his numbers have been good stats, bad team last year, while this year, despite dropping a bit, they have effectively made his team better.

Because he took the qualifying offer, he'll be an unrestricted free agent, so the Jazz will have the means to get Grimes the payday he was looking for last summer. That might not be enough to sway him away from Philly, but Utah could definitely make them pay through the nose to keep him.

The irony is that Jones has completely flipped his opinion on Grimes' fit in Utah compared to a few months ago, when he was very much opposed to the idea.

Why it might be different now

Grimes could be a target this offseason because the Jazz's outlook is a lot more promising now compared to when the season started. No one would have though this, but suddenly, the Jazz have one of the league's most intimidating scoring duos in Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George. Ace Bailey is on the rise, and Walker Kessler should(?) be back next season.

In fact, if Kessler had been playing, the Jazz would probably be in the playoff hunt right now. Bring him back along with a high lottery pick, and it's fair to believe that, at the very least, a play-in spot could be within their range in 2027.

Grimes isn't a star, but he is an impact player. He could be an excellent complementary scorer to play next to their scoring personnel. Adding him to the team, even if it may not be likely, could be a vital piece of the Jazz's next playoff team.