Far from the lofty expectations that they set for themselves by making the marquee signing of the offseason — inking nine-time All-Star Paul George to a four-year, $212 million contract — the Philadelphia 76ers are arguably the league’s worst team as the 2025 NBA Draft approaches. Last night’s win over the equally lowly Washington Wizards snapped a 12-game losing streak, the franchise’s longest since 2015-16. Philadelphia is just 4-22 with a negative-10.5 net rating since the All-Star break.
The only reason the 76ers are even that okay is Quentin Grimes, who they acquired in a midseason trade with the Dallas Mavericks. The former New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons and Mavericks guard has averaged 22.4 points per game in a Philadelphia uniform on solid 48-39-75 shooting splits. He’ll be a restricted free agent this summer, and the 76ers hold his Bird rights, so they can go over the cap to re-sign him and match any offer he might take from another team. If they can re-sign Guerschon Yabusele in the offseason, a starting lineup of Tyrese Maxey, Grimes, George, and Yabusele would be pretty good if healthy, although being able to retain both Grimes and Yabusele might prove challenging.
Either way, Philadelphia could be without Grimes for Friday’s clash against the Atlanta Hawks in the penultimate game of the season. He’s been listed as questionable with a right shoulder sprain, and Justin Edwards was also listed as questionable with a rib injury. If neither of them are able to go, the injury-riddled 76ers could roll out a lineup of Jared Butler, Jeff Dowtin Jr., Lonnie Walker IV, Marcus Bagley, and Adem Bona. Given that lineup’s inexperience, Atlanta would doubtlessly be a huge favorite.
