If Nick Nurse’s answer sounds funny, it’s because it kind of is. The Philadelphia 76ers never wanted to part ways with veteran wing Caleb Martin. “Everyone knows what Caleb can do,” Nurse said. But when injuries started piling up, Philadelphia needed clarity on the wing — and a healthy bod y, first and foremost. So the Sixers sent Martin to Dallas in exchange for Quentin Grimes. “I was really excited because I thought, ‘We have a [live] body,’” Nurse said. “That’s the famous line I’ve used a lot with Q.” Grimes, the former No. 25 overall pick by the Knicks in 2021, has quickly become one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers, and no one saw it coming. On a Sixers team operating without its core (Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon, and Jared McCain were all sidelined Tuesday at Madison Square Garden), the former Knicks first-round pick is making a compelling case — either for a future in Philly, or a bigger role elsewhere — with restricted free agency looming this summer. “He’s had great moments in the league. He’s playing, he’s got great rhythm,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau before tipoff. “He can shoot it, put it on the floor, he’s dangerous in transition. He’s making plays off the dribble, defensively he’s terrific. Very dangerous in the open floor.” Grimes averaged 26.6 points per game in March, tying Minnesota star Anthony Edwards for 11th in league scoring that month. The players above him? MVP candidates and franchise cornerstones — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić. Grimes, meanwhile, is writing his story on the fly. He dropped 44 points against the Warriors on March 1, then torched the Rockets for 46 in an overtime loss on March 17. But this isn’t the same player Nurse game-planned against when Grimes wore Knicks blue and orange. In a short period, he’s become a journeyman, albeit a productive one. The Knicks traded him to Detroit in February for Bojan Bogdanović and Alec Burks. Detroit then flipped him to Dallas for Tim Hardaway Jr. The Mavericks later dealt him to Philadelphia for Martin. Now, on a Sixers team bound for the lottery, Grimes has blossomed into a go-to scorer. “The biggest thing is he’s on the court all the time,” Nurse said. “We’re in a situation where he’s playing as much as he can handle. And obviously, there’s lots of opportunity on the offensive end for him to go do what he can do.” The coach admits even he’s been surprised. “Super impressed with his one-on-one game. His ability to create space, get clearance, get shots off,” Nurse said. “And not just jumpers — he’ll get to the rim, dunk on you, hit pull-ups, shoot threes, create his own look. I’ve been impressed.” Grimes has played himself into a payday. But will that check come from Philly? The Sixers are built around three max-contract stars — Embiid, Maxey, and George — two of whom are frequently injured. If healthy, Philly wants to contend. In that picture, Grimes may be a complementary piece, not a focal one. Plus the collective bargaining agreement will make it a hassle to retain Grimes to the pay day he’s rightfully earned. So what is he, exactly? A puzzle piece or the kind you build a puzzle around? “I think it’s a super valid question,” Nurse said. “And I think you have to really know what you’re watching. Not just with him, but with all players in these types of situations. Know what’s really happening, and how that fits with what you could have in the future. “In our ideal world, he’s not getting this many attempts — not when we’ve got our three main scorers. But in the real world? Those guys are in and out. So can he be a guy who fills one role one night and steps up in another? I think so.” What Nurse wants to know now is whether Grimes can defend and rebound at a high level when the stars return. Scoring’s a given. The other stuff — the glue work, the grimy work — that’s what wins in May and June. “I’m mostly concerned about the rebounding,” Nurse said. “That’s a big thing for us.” Grimes is doing more than holding down the fort. He’s playing his way into the conversation. What comes next — in Philly or elsewhere — depends on how long he can keep it up. ...read more read less