What happened: Quentin Grimes logged a team-high 97 minutes while Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sat for stretches of the preseason. He shot 41.2% from three and 90.9% from the line with 10 assists in that span.

Why it matters: Preseason usage without two primary creators tests his fit as a complementary starter. His four-year, $60 million starting role raises the bar for ball security and board work.

What to watch: Upcoming preseason rotations pairing him with Doncic or Reaves will show whether the creation numbers stabilize.