76ers' bold trade decision piles immense pressure on struggling guard

Philadelphia needs Quentin Grimes to rediscover his form and fast.
Dec 15, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers resident of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey speaks with the media before a game against the Detroit Pistons at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Dec 15, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers resident of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey speaks with the media before a game against the Detroit Pistons at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Jared McCain's shocking trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder is a wound that continues to weep for the Philadelphia 76ers. Given that the Sixers cannot buy a bucket from the bench, it is a decision that fans will question for the foreseeable future. To make matters worse, Quentin Grimes' offensive production has dropped significantly over the past few weeks. Without his scoring output increasing soon, Philadelphia's postseason tilt will be under serious threat.

Whether fans like it or not, McCain’s departure forces head coach Nick Nurse to recalibrate, finding the right combinations and roles to maximize the talent he still has. Sixers superstar Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are their own entities; if you put the ball in their hands, they will contribute to a winning formula. The real issue comes in the form of their secondary unit — and most notably, Quentin Grimes.

Throughout the first two months of the season (October and November), the 25-year-old emphatically vindicated the 76ers' decision to prioritise his return in the offseason. Grimes averaged 17.2 points, 4.1 assists, and four rebounds per game during this period, propelling himself to the forefront of the early Sixth Man of the Year conversations. However, his form has taken a dramatic dip.

Grimes must significantly improve production during 76ers' playoff push

Philadelphia's backcourt depth was something the franchise could boast at the start of the campaign. Not only did it bring consistent scoring no matter which guard was on the floor, but it also allowed Nick Nurse to experiment with small-ball lineups, while emphasizing quick ball movement.

With the points drying up and players moving on to pastures new, this strength has become a lot more fragile. Even with the addition of former Sixers veteran Cameron Payne in recent days, an overwhelming weight of responsibility lies on the shoulders of Quentin Grimes -- who is now the team's primary option off the bench.

Grimes' recent struggles have been amplified due to the high expectations he set for himself as the season commenced. His decline since the turn of the year has been somewhat remarkable. In 2026 so far, Grimes is averaging 9.3 points, 2.8 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game. It does not take an expert analyst to break down these statistics and come to the realization that something has changed to seriously hinder the guard's performances.

Fortunately for the Sixers, Joel Embiid has regained his elite scoring prowess, which has papered over the crack that Grimes's lack of efficiency has created. Nevertheless, Philadelphia cannot continue to rely solely on star players to drag the franchise to the playoffs and beyond -- their role players must step up. Options such as Adem Bona, Jabari Walker, and Dalton Terry are not prolific scorers, leaving Quentin Grimes as the lone reliable offensive option for the Philadelphia 76ers

Quentin Grimes has not become a poor player overnight. The Houston alum can still pack a scoring punch from the bench if he can regain his offensive rhythm. Without this production from their secondary unit, the Philadelphia 76ers' championship hopes will swiftly dissipate. Due to their decision to ship Jared McCain to Oklahoma, the Sixers' front office has provided Grimes with a level of responsibility he may not be able to shoulder.

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