Quentin Grimes emerges as bright spot in a miserable Sixers season

The Philadelphia 76ers season has been a disaster. Joel Embiid hasn't been right all year and has now been shut down for the remainder of the campaign. 

Paul George, the franchise's star summer addition, has also failed to impress. George is now awaiting a doctor's consultation on how to deal with lingering groin and knee issues.

As such, Sixers fans can be forgiven for airing their frustrations with the franchise. After all, Daryl Morey heavily invested in the squad this past season, only for the roster to regress.

Fortunately for the team, Quentin Grimes has emerged as a rare glimmer of light in an otherwise overcast season. Grimes, 24, has hit the ground running for Nick Nurse's team since joining ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

During an interview with Grant Afseth of Sportskeeda on Friday, Grimes detailed how his role in Philadelphia has allowed him to prove himself to his new team.

“To give me a lot of freedom with the ball, a lot of opportunity to go out there, play my game, be ultra aggressive on the offensive end, whether it's making a play for myself and my teammates,” Grimes said. “That confidence boost from the coaches gives me even more confidence to go out there and kind of play carefree and play through some mistakes out there.”

Since joining the Sixers, Grimes is averaging 19.3 points, 3.7 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game. He's shooting 61.4% from two-point range and 37.6% from deep. 

Whether the Sixers like it or not, Grimes has played himself into a bigger contract moving forward. Still, that was a risk Morey took when acquiring the former New York Knicks draft pick ahead of his first restricted free agency. 

Grimes is reaping the benefits of landing in a bad situation. Philadelphia's long list of injury issues has allowed him to assume a bigger role than anyone expected. In return, he's shown that he's capable of being far more than a role player. The Sixers may have found Tyrese Maxey's long-term back-court partner. 

If Grimes and Maxey emerge as a fearsome duo in the Eastern Conference for years to come, at least this dumpster fire of a season had some value to the franchise. Of course, that means Morey must find a way to retain Grimes in the summer. Because, if Grimes heads elsewhere, Morey may have far too many questions that he doesn't have answers for.