The Philadelphia 76ers’ NBA trade deadline moves were largely seen as financial decisions, offloading contracts to maintain cap flexibility. But one acquisition — Quentin Grimes — has already proven to be more than just a salary dump.
Grimes, acquired from Dallas in the Caleb Martin trade, has quickly found a significant role in Philadelphia. In his first four games, he has averaged nearly 33 minutes per night, and in Wednesday’s win over Brooklyn, he made his first start for the Sixers.
The 23-year-old didn’t disappoint, posting a season-high 30 points on 10-of-18 shooting, along with nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
The strong start has even surprised Grimes himself, who admitted he didn’t expect to be leaned on so quickly by head coach Nick Nurse. Grimes is averaging 32.8 minutes per game in his first four games with Philly.
“I feel like you’ve got to build that trust,” Grimes said. “(But) I kind of feel like we got a good feel for each other pretty early. I respected him for what he did with Toronto when I played for him my first couple of seasons. He got a chip there. So he knows what he’s talking about.”
Set to be a restricted free agent in 2025, Grimes is making a strong case for a long-term role in Philadelphia. If his early performances are any indication, the Sixers may have found themselves a key contributor for their playoff push — and beyond.
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