The Philadelphia 76ers are currently enjoying a hell of a start to the season from Quentin Grimes. Through the first six games of the season, the 25-year-old has become Mr. Reliable for the team, ultimately shedding away whatever bitter taste that might have remained in light of the front office’s standstill with him through the entire offseason.
True enough, the 76ers did not get to agree with Grimes on a contract that would be beneficial for both camps. However, when the erstwhile restricted free agent was communicating his demands to the team, there were some people who implored the 76ers not to cave into those wants, arguing that there exist some cheaper alternatives on the market
The 76ers found some success in that regard, although they definitely lost flexibility when they did not extend a material offer to Grimes. Still, all of that seems to have become water under the bridge at this point.
However, Grimes might have heard some of the nonsensical bits being said by people from the outside — that seems to be the case at the very least given how motivated he appears to be early in the season.
Quentin Grimes makes this strange offseason comp look foolish with strong play for the 76ers
As of writing, Grimes has turned in impressive averages of 18.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in just under 32 minutes per outing. His three-point shooting, which is pegged as his best trait, has definitely been his pet skill. So far, he has drained 45.2 percent of his attempts from downtown.
Remember when an anonymous executive said that the 76ers should not go full-throttle on running after Grimes given that even someone like Gary Trent Jr., whom he likened to the former, could be secured with a veteran’s minimum deal? Yeah, that most definitely sounds like an extremely foolish comparison.
No offense to Trent, who has also been playing well for the Milwaukee Bucks, but Grimes being compared to him undersells him a lot. Unlike Trent, Grimes is capable of being more than just an off-ball threat. He can create shots for his teammates and generate his own, allowing him to exceed the concentric mold of three-and-D guys.
Keeping Grimes beyond this season will be difficult, but with each passing game, he keeps on proving to everyone why he deserves the handsome pay raise he has been seeking. He has already outplayed his current shafted contract, and it seems like he is not yet finished trying to give his naysayers a point of humiliation.
Good for him.