The Philadelphia 76ers consider limited free agent Quentin Grimes’ contract to be a “priority” for the offseason, league sources told NBA insider Marc Stein on Friday.
76ers can surpass the hat of re-signing Quentin Grimes
The 76ers are leveraged in contract negotiations as they will be able to match any potential quotation sheets obtained by other teams. They also want to retain free agent Guerschon Yabusele.
Philadelphia can exceed the cap for re-signing Grimes, but if 76ers use more than $5.6 million in non-tax intermediate exceptions to sign Yabusele, the first apron will trigger.
Unless there is a deal to clear wages, they will eventually be prevented from signing Grimes. It should be noted that during the offseason, the Sixers have no plans to move Paul George.
George plans to earn $51.66 million in 2025-26 and then $54.12 million in 2026-27. His deals include $56.58 million in player options for 2027-28, as well as a 15% trade bonus.
Grimes averaged 21.9 points in 28 games this season
In 75 games (35 games) between the Dallas Mavericks and the Sixers this season, Grimes averaged a career-high 14.6 points, shooting 46.7% and 38.5% from three-pointers.
According to basketball reference, Grimes also joined Tyrese Maxey, Allen Iverson and Hal Greer, becoming the only defender in the 76ers history to average 28.5 points in 10 games.
In the 2024 offseason, the Sixers invested $800 million in Joel Embiid, Paul George and Maxey before signing veterans Andre Drummond, Caleb Martin and Eric Gordon.
Since Philadelphia’s payroll is tied to Embiid, George and Maxie, 77% (approximately $146 million) lacks roster flexibility. The Sixers are also ranked third in the NBA draft next week.
If three players choose to participate, the 76ers will be below the $7.5 million for the first apron
Philadelphia’s offseason finance will be influenced by contract decisions from Drummond, Gordon and Kelly Ober Jr. If all three players choose by June 29, their luxury tax is correct, down from the $7.5 million for the No. 1 apron. All three have player choices for next season, worth $16.9 million.
If Gordon rejects his choice and re-signs it with a lower number, the 76ers will get $1.5 million in flexibility. They do have a $9.5 million non-guaranteed contract, team choices from Ricky Council IV, Jared Butler, Lonnie Walker IV and Justin Edwards.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, “If four players are not brought back, because their salary slots are comparable to the signed players with the minimum exception to the veteran.”
