With nine wins and six losses under their belt through their first 15 games, the Philadelphia 76ers have mounted a more than respectable start to the season. While the record could have been better, it could have also been a lot worse, especially with the team still on a dangerous tango with the injury bug night in and out.
However, thanks to their electric backcourt, the 76ers seem to have already penciled themselves in as a shoo-in to make the postseason. One of their early standouts is Quentin Grimes, who is arguably one of the frontrunners for the Sixth Man of the Year award given his strong all-around play to kickstart his fifth year in the league.
Grimes has embraced his role as the team’s primary option off the bench, averaging nearly 17 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per outing on 46.5 percent shooting from the field, which includes an impressive 40.2 percent success rate from beyond the arc. Clearly, he has become a vital piece of the puzzle for the 76ers.
Having said that, the 76ers might actually be planning something different (and unpopular) with their super sixth man.
The 76ers might actually be showcasing Quentin Grimes for an eventual trade
As everyone knows, both the 76ers and Grimes’ camp belabored themselves with such a strenuous push-and-pull during free agency. While both sides eventually came to a band-aid resolution when Grimes settled for the team’s qualifying offer, in effect, they merely deferred the matter to next year.
Grimes’ free agency will remain delicate next year, and despite his solid production, the 76ers could still find it difficult to invest a lot of money on him. That is precisely why the door toward a trade involving him cannot just be deemed closed.
Should VJ Edgecombe continue his awe-inspiring trail as a rookie and if Jared McCain regains his mojo, the front office will definitely consisder trying to liquidate Grimes for assets before the deadline. Of course, that will be perceived as a defeatist stance of frugality on their part, but that is the exact consequence of having such a muddled payroll.
Trading Grimes will be far from ideal. After all, he has grown into one of the most stable hands on the 76ers roster. However, given their lack of financial flexibility, he will most likely end up being one of the biggest casualties if the front office starts becoming more mindful of its expenses.
Unfortunately, should they resort to that unpopular option, the 76ers will also be victims of their own doing. It’s just the way it is.