Quentin Grimes’ restricted free agency standoff with the Philadelphia 76ers has mostly flown under the radar this offseason, with little progress made on a new deal. On Wednesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania shed light on the latest negotiations between the two sides, which prompted the 25-year-old wing to make a bold decision regarding his immediate future.
Grimes is navigating a unique situation. After spending his first three-and-a-half seasons as a two-way role player, he broke out after being acquired by Philadelphia in early February. Over 28 appearances with the 76ers, most in a featured offensive role amid the team’s extensive injury woes, Grimes averaged 21.9 points per game. This came after he had previously never averaged more than 11.3 ppg in a single campaign.
As such, Grimes and Philadelphia have had difficulty settling on his true value as the 2025-26 season fast approaches.
How Is Quentin Grimes Showing His Discontent Amid His Restricted Free Agency Impasse With the 76ers?
Speaking on Wednesday’s edition of “NBA Today,” Charania reported that Grimes and Philadelphia are still “very far apart on a deal” after meeting earlier in the day. The NBA insider added that, given the prolonged standstill, Grimes will not be present at Friday’s team Media Day or for the tip-off of the franchise’s four-game preseason schedule.
“Quentin Grimes’ agent, David Bauman, told me today that it was the first time today that the Sixers made a formal hard offer to Grimes as a restricted free agent,” Charania said. “Bauman added to me that Grimes will not be attending 76ers Media Day on Friday. He also will not be traveling with the team this weekend to Abu Dhabi for preseason.”
According to the NBA insider, the 76ers’ decision to draft athletic shooting guard V.J. Edgecombe No. 3 in this year’s draft has “changed the dynamics of their backcourt.” Additionally, “uncertainty health-wise” surrounding the aspiring Eastern Conference contender’s top players, Joel Embiid and Paul George, may be contributing to its hesitancy to make Grimes a substantial offer.
“Where this is really going, or where these tides are staring at, is that $8.7 million one-year qualifying offer for Grimes, or a sign-and-trade, or potentially a one-year larger deal where Grimes would waive his no-trade clause,” Charania continued.
The Athletic’s Tony Jones confirmed Wednesday that the 2021 No. 25 pick “has two offers on the table,” his qualifying offer and a “one-year balloon payment.” However, the team insider noted that Philadelphia still “wants to work out a long-term, four-year deal with Grimes, which is something that Grimes would actually be amenable to. The issue is what the money would be.”
The Grimes-less 76ers will commence their preseason slate on Oct. 2 against the New York Knicks, marking the teams’ first of two clashes in Abu Dhabi, the second coming on Oct. 4. Philadelphia will wrap up exhibition play with home matchups against the Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 10 and 17. That gives Grimes a few more weeks to resolve his contract situation and join the team before its Oct. 22 regular-season opener.
