Latest on Sixers, Quentin Grimes

It appears the 76ers and restricted free agent Quentin Grimes have been circling each other all summer.

According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the two sides have discussed multiple contract frameworks through agent David Bauman, but it wasn’t until earlier this week that Philadelphia made its first formal offer.

The delay wasn’t random. Per Fischer, the Sixers knew there was a significant gap between what they were willing to pay and what Grimes’ camp has been seeking.

A sign-and-trade was briefly viewed as a possible solution, but that option now appears to be off the table.

The likeliest outcome, Fischer reports, is Grimes agreeing to a one-year deal worth more than his $8.7 million qualifying offer.

Bauman asked the team to push back the qualifying offer deadline from October 1 to October 8, given the Sixers’ preseason trip to Abu Dhabi. So far, Philadelphia has shown no interest in extending that deadline.

As previously reported, the Sixers explored moving Kelly Oubre Jr. or Andre Drummond to clear room for a richer Grimes deal.

But Fischer says the front office has been “adamant” about not attaching draft picks to dump salary — a clear indication of just how carefully Philly is trying to thread the cap needle.

MORE HOOPS | @WireHoops