Quentin Grimes has started off strong for the Philadelphia 76ers this season. Despite his complicated restricted free agency situation casting a cloud on his possible willingness to settle into a more streamlined and smaller role, he has managed to cement himself as one of the most important players on the roster.
Currently slotted in as their nominal sixth man, Grimes has far exceeded the value of his menial contract. Through 19 games, he has tallied nightly average of 17 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, emerging as one of the clear favorites to win Sixth Man of the Year. Unfortunately, it would be difficult for the front office to keep him beyond this campaign as he is expected to command a significant pay raise next year after failing to do that this summer.
The 76ers will need a replacement for Grimes. While their troika of guard in Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Jared McCain forms one of the most talented backcourts in the entire league, two of those players seem to be especially vulnerable to injuries. A fourth guard to round out their backcourt rotation would be ideal — and one player who can fill the hole Grimes could leave is Keon Ellis.
The 76ers could eye Keon Ellis to target Quentin Grimes in free agency
Ellis, one of the better on-ball backcourt defenders in the league, will easily be available for taking this summer. The struggling Sacramento Kings have perplexed many with their ostensible derision about the idea of playing him more, and it has culminated into some serious division not only among their fanbase, but in virtually all league circles.
The 6’4” guard does not have offense as his main calling card, but he has the tools to be an elite role player in the NBA. He is a career 42.8 percent three-point shooter, and he makes up for his lack of playmaking upside with his ability to lock down opposing guards and shorter wings.
Obviously, there is a clear variance between him and Grimes, but the 76ers’ need for someone of the latter’s styling will be much tempered in anticipation of Edgecombe’s continuous development and McCain’s eventual full recovery. Hence, a complementary role player like Ellis who is far from being ball dominant and does not need the rock to be impactful would make their backcourt a more eclectic one.
Even better, Ellis will not force them to break the bank to sign. The Kings are tanking his value so fard that at this rate, it is very plausible to believe that the 76ers, even without much financial flexibility of their own, can scoop him up in the open market next year.