Grimes Staying 'Professional' Amid Trade Rumors

Speaking with Ian Begley of SNY, Grimes is engaged in business as usual despite the gossip. The Knicks have five games left before Feb. 8's trade deadline, beginning with Monday's visit to Charlotte (7 p.m. ET, MSG).

"I’ve kind of been in trade rumors since my rookie year. So I just try to come in every day, do my job, be professional," Grimes said. "Every time I step on the court, just give it 100 percent. Rumors are going to happen. I just step on the court and try to do everything to help this team win."

This season has been a rollercoaster for Grimes, who lost his starting duties to Donte DiVincenzo in December. Grimes has been hot and cold in his role as a reserve but has enough upside as a recent first-round pick, which will ensure a share of suitors. 

Grimes has at least done his part during the Knicks' recent endeavors: he reached double-figures in each of his last two games to the tune of over 58 percent from the field. That included 19 in Thursday's domination of defending champion Denver, tying a season-best. While Grimes' minutes have curiously shrank despite trading fellow backcourt depth man Immanuel Quickley to Toronto on Dec. 30, he has played a combined 47 over the last two. 

It's a good thing that Grimes is taking the rumors in stride: head coach Tom Thibodeau firmly declared that trade rumors won't disrupt the Knicks' daily routine, no matter how attractive he looks to the competition.

“For this time of year, for every 100 trades that get talked about, one gets done. That’s why you stick to your routine,” Thibodeau said, per Peter Botte of the New York Post. “You block out all the outside stuff. You lock into what’s in front of you and keep your focus there. Let basketball be your focus."

“I think where we are today, the popularity of the game is so huge. Media, social media and everyone talking about it," Thibodeau continued. "It’s a byproduct of society today. But (we) don’t get caught up in it. Whether it’s praise, criticism, speculation, it doesn’t matter. The only thing that really matters is what you think and what we think. That’s it.”