With only nine wins and 21 games remaining, there isn't much left for the Detroit Pistons to play for in the 2023-24 season.
We're down to judging the fit between their current and future players, including Quentin Grimes, who was the main asset garnered in the trade that sent Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks to the Knicks.
Unfortunately, Grimes has only appeared in four games for the Pistons so far and has been ruled out again in tonight's matchup with the Brooklyn Nets.
Not much has been said about Grimes' injury and its severity but the Detroit Pistons have to be getting concerned.
Quentin Grimes' injury history
Grimes is sitting with a persistent knee injury and this isn't the first time, as he's had knee problems dating back to 2022 and has been on the injury list three times with knee injuries since.
After playing just 46 games in his rookie season, some of which were DNP CDs and some due to injury, Grimes played 71 games in year two and has appeared in 49 games this season, missing 11 games and counting due to injury.
Quentin Grimes' future with the Detroit Pistons
Hopefully, this is not a chronic issue, but if Grimes continues to miss games, the Pistons and their medical staff are going to start wondering if he needs offseason surgery to get right.
This is particularly important because Grimes is already signed for next season and the Pistons have to decide whether to extend him to be part of the future, a decision they will have to weigh more carefully if he is suddenly expected to miss any of next season.
Given the Pistons' recent history of injury, they have to tread carefully here, though Grimes does fit the profile of the 3-and-D wing player they need.
So this is something to monitor in the homestretch and though there is no reason for the Pistons to rush him back, it would be nice to see Grimes fully healthy at some point in this season so the Pistons can make a more informed decision on his future this summer.