DETROIT — In what was their first day on the job as 76ers, Quentin Grimes, Jared Butler, and Chuma Okeke expressed excitement Friday over the opportunities provided by their new team.
Grimes and Butler, acquired in separate deals before Thursday’s trade deadline, know they were brought in to help the Sixers get younger and fill needed roles off the bench. Okeke is here on a 10-day contract, looking to show why he deserves to be back in the NBA.
All three were on hand for the morning film study and shootaround and are expected to be available to play Friday against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena.
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“I think I fit in pretty well,” said Grimes, who was acquired along with a second-round pick from the Dallas Mavericks for Caleb Martin. “I’ve known Tyrese [Maxey]. I’ve known Kelly [Oubre] from Houston. I went to high school there. I know EG [Eric Gordon] from [University of Houston coach Kelvin] Sampson. So I got a good rapport with a few of the guys.”
More than that, he has a skillset the Sixers are eager to utilize as a 39.8% three-point shooter this season in Dallas.
“I feel like I can be a 3-and-D spacer, make plays off the dribble,” Grimes said. “I can try to take the pressure off of Joel [Embiid] when he gets doubled and everything. I can knock down shots and come in and try to help this team make plays and win games.”
The 24-year-old shooting guard has been antsy to play since the Sixers and Mavs agreed on the deal that sent Martin, 29, to Dallas. However, the deal was amended Thursday when the Sixers also sent a second-round pick to Dallas because of Martin’s hip injury.
“I think they were expecting me to play [Wednesday] in the Miami game,” Grimes said. “They had, like, until 6:30 is the deadline if they can, but obviously, it didn’t go through. I was ready to play in the Miami game, but it happened to be today so I’m just ready to lock in.”
Butler, 24, also appeared to be locked in Friday morning.
The Sixers acquired the two-way point guard and four second-round picks from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Reggie Jackson, 34, and a 2026 first-round pick on Thursday.
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That move came a month after Butler torched the Sixers for 26 points and a game-high seven assists in 20 minutes off the bench.
“Obviously, basketball is a production-based business,” Butler said. “I guess they liked what they saw and it went from there.”
But the Sixers were actually intrigued by Butler during the 2021 NBA draft, where he was selected 40th by the New Orleans Pelicans and traded to the Utah Jazz.
The Sixers have been impressed by his high basketball IQ and competitive spirit. They believe he can make the game easier for teammates.
“I think those are spot on who I am,” Butler said. “I like Philly, because it’s grimy hustle and bustle. I feel like that’s at the core of who I am. So I’m excited. I can’t wait.”
And Okeke wants to show he deserves another opportunity to play in the NBA.
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The forward was selected 16th overall in the 2019 draft by the Orlando Magic. He averaged 6.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in four seasons with the Magic. This season, he was a member of the Westchester Knicks, the NBA G-League affiliate of the New York Knicks.
“I know they’ve got scorers here already, so I’ll probably just do the little things,” he said of fitting in with the Sixers. “Crash for rebounds and just play defense. You can never go wrong with that. Mostly just playing hard and playing defense, and playing unselfishly. That’s all it is. The rest will take care of itself. Just control what you can control.”