Rucker’s mailbag: Capture the Flagg, Quentin Grimes’ future, the doomsday lottery scenario

With the Sixers officially eliminated from the playoffs, I ask the fans for their thoughts and questions.

The Sixers, currently 23-54, have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. They also currently sit in the fifth spot for next month’s NBA draft lottery. After a nightmare of a season there could be a beam of light at the end of the tunnel. Where do the Sixers go from here? What should we expect? I asked the fans for their questions and thoughts for my final Sixers mailbag of the regular season.

Let’s get to it.

In a season that has already been a nightmare, a scenario in which the Sixers lose their draft pick (top-six protected) to the Oklahoma City Thunder would be the ultimate doomsday for the organization and its fans. One of the few glimmers of light to come from this disaster of a season is the hope that the Sixers retain their draft pick in a loaded draft class.

In the scenario that the Sixers do not get their pick, a lot of questions will have to be asked within the organization. What would the Sixers’ immediate plan be for the 2025-2026 season? What would their plan be long-term? Do the Sixers try to offload Paul George and Joel Embiid and fully lean into a rebuild? What would the cost be to get off of those contracts? A lot of questions that I — and I don’t even think the Sixers — know the answer to right now.

I would imagine a top priority, especially in this scenario, would be to retain Quentin Grimes on a long-term deal. Grimes has blossomed in his opportunity with the Sixers and shown that he is capable of being much more than just a 3-and-D guy as he was relegated to in Dallas and New York. The first question I think the front office should ask themselves is how they best optimize Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain and try to build out the rest of the roster to fit to their strengths.

Grimes has been a revelation for the Sixers ever since they acquired him from the Mavericks at the NBA trade deadline. Grimes has had the best season of his career and has likely played himself into a sizeable new contract this summer as he enters restricted free agency.

Grimes season averages with the Sixers:

22.0 PPG
4.9 RPG
4.3 APG
38.5% from three
61.0 TS%

Grimes not only has the highest usage rate of his career, but he’s also done it on some of the best efficiency of his career. If the Sixers keep their pick, which they currently sit at 64% odds to do so, then you’re adding another high-profile young player to the roster who will likely garner a lot of minutes and touches.

I believe the Sixers will target a forward or potentially a center depending on where their draft selection falls and who is available. In that case, I do not think that will affect Grimes’ role. Now, if the Sixers do have a fully healthy roster next season, that would obviously change things for Grimes from where they are now, which I do not think is all that bad.

Grimes has shown he’s far more capable than just standing in the corner and shooting catch-and-shoot threes and attacking closeouts. I foresee Grimes’ role next season being one of two things — the first being the starting shooting guard in the backcourt alongside Maxey, the second being the sixth man and first guy off the bench. I think Grimes can thrive in either role.

As a starter next to Maxey, Grimes can take on the tougher nightly guard assignments defensively, while being able to play both off and on the ball as Maxey can do both of those things as well. As the sixth man Grimes could lean even more into a creation and scoring role as a microwave go-to guy while also still providing a positive impact on the defensive end. Grimes could be one of the leaders for Sixth Man of the Year or form one of the better starting backcourts in the NBA next to Maxey.

If Embiid and George are on the team and healthy, all the better as the Sixers would have no shortage of scoring options and floor spacing. In the scenario that all these things fall into place the Sixers could be looking at a sharp and swift turnaround back towards the top of the Eastern Conference next season.

Did someone say Capture the Flagg?

The dream offseason for the Sixers starts and ends with winning the NBA Draft lottery and acquiring Duke star do-it-all forward Cooper Flagg. Flagg, who I have gone on the record proclaiming as the third-best overall prospect I have ever scouted dating back a decade, would change the fortunes and outlook of the Sixers’ franchise overnight.

The ceiling for the Sixers in the immediate and long-term would be winning the NBA championship and the ceiling for Flagg would be All-NBA player and a future MVP of the league. Flagg is one of the most flawless prospects to enter the NBA this century — a legitimate two-way superstar who can take over games with his scoring, defense and playmaking ability. Thinking of an immediate future of Flagg plugged into a lineup alongside the likes of Maxey, McCain and Grimes — and potentially Embiid and George — is downright euphoric.

The 18-year-old Flagg would sooner rather than later become the face of the franchise and one of the poster boys of the NBA and the next generation. On May 12, that is what is potentially at stake. We can only hope the lottery and basketball gods smile down on the Sixers like they did in 2016 and 1996.

Enjoy.