Dallas trade Tim Hardaway Jr. and picks to Detroit for Quentin Grimes

Dallas trades Tim Hardaway Jr. to Detroit to free up cap space for Derrick Jones Jr., acquiring Quentin Grimes in return.

The Dallas Mavericks have made a significant move to free up cap space in order to pursue Derrick Jones Jr. by trading veteran sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Detroit Pistons. This trade, reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, involves Hardaway Jr. and three second-round picks going to Detroit in exchange for Quentin Grimes.

For the Mavericks, the priority this offseason is retaining Jones Jr., as stated by team decision-maker Nico Harrison. By shedding Hardaway Jr.'s contract, Dallas saves nearly $12 million, allowing Harrison to utilize the majority of the $12.9 million mid-level exception to entice Jones back in free agency.

While Hardaway Jr. provided scoring for the Mavericks last season, his role diminished in the playoffs under coach Jason Kidd. Grimes, although dealing with injuries last season, is seen as a suitable replacement to fill Hardaway Jr.'s minutes.

Detroit, in a rebuilding phase, has taken advantage of its cap space by acquiring a draft pick in exchange for taking on Hardaway Jr.'s contract. The draft picks acquired from Dallas could hold value, especially if they fall in the higher range of the second round. This provides Detroit with assets that can be used in future trades.

With approximately $50 million in cap space remaining, Detroit has flexibility to make further moves as they continue to rebuild their roster. This trade benefits both teams in their respective pursuits for the upcoming season.