The 76ers’ risky deadline trade makes their Quentin Grimes situation even stranger

The Philadelphia 76ers did not want to sign Quentin Grimes to a long-term contract this summer. That led to him accepting a one-year qualifying offer, which will make him an unrestricted free agent after this season. It was a frustrating process, but the outcome made sense for the team, which already featured young guards Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Jared McCain.

Of course, McCain was dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline, which makes this whole situation confusing. If the plan was to trade McCain, why not sign Grimes to a multi-year contract? If trading McCain wasn’t the intention, and that was a spontaneous decision by GM Daryl Morey, then the team must have a lot of confidence in its ability to re-sign Grimes this summer – a confidence I don’t share.

Is the plan to simply have two great young guards and look for depth options elsewhere? That’s not a terrible strategy, I guess, but McCain on a rookie contract seemed like the perfect depth option, and now he’s in Oklahoma. For the most part, I trust Daryl Morey as a roster builder. But I don’t see the vision here at all.

76ers trading Jared McCain leaves backcourt future unclear

Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe will be the 76ers’ starting backcourt for the next few years. That much is clear, and that’s about as good a duo as Philly fans could ask for.

But even with the workhorse minutes that Nick Nurse gives both guys every game, a team needs more than two guards. That’s why it’s so strange that Morey says the team “sold high” on McCain. Why did they “sell” in the first place, especially with Grimes on an expiring contract, and an offseason reunion looking highly unlikely after the mess of last summer’s negotiations?

Yes, McCain looked rusty after returning from a torn meniscus, and yes, Grimes got off to a torrid start. But if these are the factors that led to McCain’s trade, then I completely disagree with the front office’s handling of the backcourt.

If Grimes signs elsewhere this offseason, what’s the best-case scenario for the Sixers’ backcourt behind Maxey and Edgecombe — finding someone as good as Jared McCain, who will make $4 million next season?

And if the Sixers trade McCain because they don’t see a place for him in the rotation long-term, there could be bigger problems here.