Former Pistons Guard Still Unemployed Despite Coming Off Career Season

Dec 7, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff looks on during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Dec 7, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff looks on during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Detroit Pistons usurped expectations in the 2024-25 season, emerging as a legitimate playoff threat that seems to have real contention aspirations amid a weakened Eastern Conference looking ahead.

With the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics dealing with devastating injuries, the East is wide open. That gives the Pistons an opportunity to compete. They've undergone a lot of recent roster turnover, and among the players they've lost in recent years includes guard Quentin Grimes, who played for the organization in the 2023-24 campaign.

Grimes broke out in a major way last year, averaging 21.9 points per game for the Philadelphia 76ers in a bigger role. He's a restricted free agent and somehow hasn't landed a new contract yet, complicating matters as the offseason is well underway.

Former Pistons Guard Quentin Grimes Still Unemployed Amid Contract Dispute With 76ers

Recent reports suggest that Grimes and Philadelphia have had little progress on a contract extension. Given the state of the 76ers' organization, that could be viewed as a positive in that Grimes' market demands could rise, or it could also be a sign that the franchise isn't interested in retaining him.

During his only season with the Pistons, Grimes averaged a mere 5.3 points per game on 35.7% shooting. He only played six games before getting sent away, so it's not like he truly had an opportunity to make a large impact.

Regardless, based on his recent improvement, it's hard to argue that Detroit didn't make a mistake letting him go.

Grimes has a strong "3-and-D" skill set that allows him to contribute as a versatile wing capable of impacting both sides of the ball. The 76ers are his fourth NBA team, suggesting coaching staffs have had a difficult time finding a consistent role for him despite the obvious advantages of keeping him on the court.

After an underwhelming start to his career, Grimes has turned things around. He's a valuable rotational player, and it's clear that the Pistons made a mistake letting him go, even if he remains in a battle regarding specific contract details.

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