The Philadelphia 76ers took a shocking approach to Quentin Grimes and his period of restricted free agency. Mere months after trading for Grimes, it offered one of its most promising young players a salary in line with what he could make by accepting his qualifying offer—and he inevitably pursued that very path.
Fast forward to December and Grimes is delivering on every promise he made when requesting the significant salary increase the 76ers unfortunately chose to decline.
Grimes, 25, turned heads during his 28-game run with Philadelphia during the 2024-25 season. He averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.9 three-point field goals made in 33.7 minutes per game on .469/.373/.752 shooting.
Most concluded that Grimes wouldn't be able to produce numbers so far above his career averages of 10.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 2.0 three-point field goals made on a winning team, but they were wrong.
Grimes has picked up where he left off in many respects, contributing invaluable minutes to a 13-9 76ers side. He's second among qualified Philadelphia players in points, assists, and three-point field goals made per game, providing a rare sense of stability with his adaptability as a starter or sixth man.
In the process, Grimes has set the pace for a season that will make him the type of money Philadelphia struggled to believe he was worth in 2025.
Quentin Grimes is the winning player he told 76ers he could be
Grimes is currently averaging 17.0 points, 4.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 2.4 three-point field goals made on .456/.381/.854 shooting. That brings his averages to 19.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.7 three-point field goals made on .465/.376/.793 shooting through 49 appearances with the 76ers.
More importantly, it offers proof that Grimes' reputation as a 3-and-D wing with offensive limitations was decided by the roles he was offered—and not by the abilities he possesses.
Thus far in 2025-26, Grimes has seven 20-point games, a 13-assist eruption, a 10-rebound showing, and 10 outings with at least 18 points. Philadelphia is 7-3 when he scores at least 18 points, as well as 5-1 when he tallies at least five assists and a 9-2 mark when he buries at least three three-point field goals.
The context of those records is even more impressive than the winning tallies themselves, as Grimes has stepped up however the 76ers have needed him to during their injury-plagued start to the season.
Grimes posted 22 points, 13 assists, and six rebounds in a win that saw the 76ers play without both Joel Embiid and Paul George. Staring down seven losses in 11 games, he stepped up with 19 points and nine assists to help right the ship—and had 22 points with Embiid sidelined during the 76ers' most recent win.
Grimes has spent most of the season as the sixth man, but he's displayed a willingness to alternate between starts and time as a reserve without complaint.
For as much praise as VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey have deservedly received, the 76ers wouldn't have a winning record without Grimes. He's adapted to what the team has needed at every turn, and Philadelphia has inevitably been 4.6 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court.
Unfortunately, Grimes will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Philadelphia must do everything it can to secure his future with the team and ensure they don't pay for their mistakes.