The Philadelphia 76ers will need everyone to contribute if they’re going to make any noise in the postseason, especially with star center Joel Embiid sidelined for at least the beginning of postseason play.
One Sixers player in particular, though, has been named the team’s biggest playoff X-factor by Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports. That player is Quentin Grimes.
Quentin Grimes Named Philadelphia 76ers’ Postseason X-Factor
Consistency has been an issue for Grimes this season. At times, he’s been a major factor for Philadelphia on both ends of the floor. However, he’s also had extended stretches where he’s been largely invisible and not a factor at all.
O’Connor thinks that if the consistent and productive Grimes shows up in the playoffs, he could potentially swing a game, or two, in Philadelphia’s favor.
From O’Connor:
“But there needs to be another guy. There will need to be a Quentin Grimes Game. He goes through stretches where he scores 28, 31, 25, and 27 points, taking 20 shots a game, looking like an aggressive on-ball scoring star. Then he’ll have games where he scores zero on only four shots and five points on seven shots. It’s puzzling. If the Sixers get a good version of Grimes, maybe he can be the X-factor that swings a game or two their way.”
Grimes will have a whole lot to play for in the playoffs when it comes to his next contract. Despite seeking a massive, long-term deal with the Sixers last summer, Grimes ended up signing just a one-year qualifying offer for much less than he was looking for. As a result, he’s headed for unrestricted free agency this summer, and how he performs in the ‘offs could have a major impact on his market value.
Quentin Grimes Has a lot on the Line in the Postseason
If he plays well for Philly and shines in his role, he could end up boosting his own stock and earning himself some serious loot. However, if he underperforms, he could end up undermining his own offers.
If Grimes does play well, he could end up playing himself right out of Philadelphia, as the Sixers will be limited when it comes to salary cap space over the offseason and thus might not be willing, or able, to break the bank for Grimes.
The organization showed hesitancy to give him a long-term commitment last summer, and it’s fair to wonder if things would be any different this time around. For those reasons, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report predicted that the Sixers would lose Grimes in free agency.
“The primary issue for the Sixers is a bloated payroll built around expensive veterans like Joel Embiid and Paul George. Tyrese Maxey will earn $40.8 million next year, and current rookie VJ Edgecombe has been a steady contributor. … Putting it all together, Philadelphia doesn’t seem like a franchise willing to go into the luxury tax for Grimes,” Pincus wrote.
With a productive playoff run, Grimes could kill two birds with one stone. He could potentially help the Sixers make some noise and he could also help himself out at the negotiating table.
Pending Free Agent Named Philadelphia 76ers’ Biggest Playoff X-Factor