Report: Sixers, Quentin Grimes long way from middle ground in talks

It was only a few months ago the 76ers were calling Quentin Grimes a priority. Now, as HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reports, the restricted free agent guard is still without a deal — and time is running short with Media Day and a trip to Abu Dhabi right around the corner.

Per Scotto, Grimes finally received his first formal offer from Philadelphia last week. Let’s just say it didn’t go over well. The Sixers pitched a one-year deal slightly above his $8.7 million qualifying offer — but with the kicker that he’d waive his no-trade clause. For Grimes, that wasn’t much of a sweetener.

Grimes’ camp had floated bigger ideas early in free agency, something in the $17–21 million annual range, with flexibility on the back end. Philly, meanwhile, discussed a four-year, $39 million concept that would’ve essentially been his qualifying offer with modest annual raises. That’s a long way from middle ground.

The Sixers’ calculus is complicated. They’re carrying Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey on big deals. They want to see how rookie VJ Edgecombe develops, and whether Jared McCain can bounce back from thumb surgery, before locking themselves into another sizeable guard contract.

As for outside suitors, the Nets are the only team with cap space to throw an offer sheet, but Scotto reports there’s been no traction there.

So where’s this headed? Unless the Sixers bump their one-year offer into the $14–19 million “balloon” range, Grimes is expected to strongly consider signing his qualifying offer and keeping his no-trade clause intact. That would punt the long-term question to next summer.

Bottom line: Grimes wants starter money. The Sixers are offering bench-guy percentages. And until someone blinks, this stalemate will continue.

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