Quentin Grimes Taking the Qualifying Offer is Best for Both Sides

As a restricted free agent in a summer with little cap space across the league, Grimes faced a difficult situation.

Josh Giddey secured the best deal among the available restricted free agents, signing a four-year, $100 million contract. Jonathan Kuminga opted for a $48 million contract over two seasons, with $22.5 million guaranteed for the 2025-26 season.

Both Cam Thomas and Grimes accepted qualifying offers near the deadline, showing the difficulty of negotiations over the past three months.

Philly’s Offer to Grimes

The Sixers offered Quentin Grimes a four-year, $39 million deal, worth about $10 million per year.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, negotiations stalled because the two sides were “far apart.” Grimes initially wanted $30 million per year; he later lowered his request to around $20 million, but Philadelphia never seriously considered it.

The Sixers faced significant tax and apron constraints, making it difficult to increase their offer. Any deal paying Grimes more than $10 million annually would have pushed them into the first apron.

Philadelphia already tried to avoid the tax last season, and this summer, they explored trades for Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre Jr. , but moving either player would have required attaching draft compensation. Given the team’s depth and injury issues, Daryl Morey was reluctant to trade Drummond or Oubre, both key contributors in the absence of Joel Embiid or Paul George.

With Grimes taking the qualifying offer, the Sixers now project as a tax team but remain below the first apron. A trade is possible, but Grimes holds leverage with a no-trade clause. Philadelphia even offered him an additional $100,000 on his qualifying offer in exchange for waiving it, but he declined.

Who Can Sign Grimes Next Offseason?

The Washington Wizards project to have the most cap space next summer by a long shot at around $81.8 million.

Brooklyn should remain a cap space team as well, with roughly $30 million available. The Utah Jazz could open close to $50 million, while the Chicago Bulls’ situation depends on how much they commit to Coby White , since they already re-signed Josh Giddey.

A couple of “swing” teams, such as the Lakers and Clippers, could also generate significant flexibility through team options, trades, and non-guaranteed contracts.

As for Philadelphia, the Sixers could re-sign Quentin Grimes, but the question is whether that relationship has already run its course. With rookie VJ Edgecombe expected to take most of the shooting guard and small forward minutes, Grimes’ long-term fit is unclear.

With the uncertainty surrounding the Sixers’ roster entering the 2025–26 season, at least Philly now has clarity moving forward financially with Grimes.