After a long wait, Quentin Grimes has finally secured his immediate future, signing a one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer with the Philadelphia 76ers on October 1. The deal provides a significant measure of relief for the 2021 first overall pick, who is now on his third team since entering the league with the New York Knicks.
How Is Quentin Grimes Viewing His New Contract?
Grimes understands the business side of the NBA, having navigated a waiting period before landing this one-year contract with the Sixers. As an unrestricted free agent next offseason, he has his financial future in his own hands and is focused on making an impact in the 2025-26 NBA season.
After signing the qualifying offer, Grimes spoke about the experience. “It was the process. It was knowing that I couldn’t control it,” he said. “But it’s in the past, and I know that it’s a business. I’m here to play for the city of Philly and play for my team.”
Following the new deal, Grimes joined his first team practice on Wednesday. The 76ers have lost both of their first two preseason games. While Grimes did not play in those contests, he is a potential candidate to make his debut in their next preseason game against the Orlando Magic on Friday.
Grimes was a star in the making during his collegiate career, which he split between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Houston Cougars. His talent led the Los Angeles Clippers to select him first in the 2021 NBA draft. Since then, Grimes has been working to find his breakthrough season in the NBA.
What Is Grimes’s Focus for the 2025-26 Season?
The qualifying offer includes a no-trade clause, which gives the 25-year-old stability and the chance for consistent playing time this season. Reflecting on his first full preseason practice, Grimes expressed his readiness. “It’s been a great first practice. I’m happy to get that out of the way,” he said. “I’m ready to compete with my teammates, and I’m happy to be here.”
He also emphasized that it was time to get back to work and, hopefully, earn a longer contract extension with Philadelphia after the 2025-26 season concludes.
“It’s in the past. It’s a business. I know that,” Grimes said. “But I’m here to play for the city of Philly, play for my teammates, play for coach Nurse, and just go out there and do whatever I can to help this team win. Hopefully I get to be back here and sign a longer term deal. I wanted to be back here on a longer term deal.”
After their final two preseason games, the 76ers will begin their new campaign on the road against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on October 22.
