'Why Would You Spend $20 Million': 76ers Free Agent Facing Big Issue

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt John | Last updated Jul 29, 2025 5:53 PM ET

The Philadelphia 76ers got quite the steal when they acquired Quentin Grimes from the Dallas Mavericks mid-season. In 28 games, Grimes averaged nearly 22 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, shooting nearly 47% from the field and 37.3% from three.

Those are the best numbers Grimes has put up in his NBA career, and well-timed too since he became a free agent this offseason. However, Grimes is a restricted free agent, meaning that the Sixers can match any offer that any interested suitor signs him to on the free market.

Grimes has remained a free agent this summer, and there have been no reports about any team being too interested in him. He's not the only one, as Josh Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga, and Cam Thomas are restricted free agents who have not received any offers.

There's no telling how this situation will be resolved. The Athletic's Fred Katz discussed Grimes with an NBA executive. The executive asked a pretty good question Grimes while comparing him to some of the other free agents who got much less than him.

“The way the cap (environment) is now, why would you spend $20 million on Quentin Grimes when you can get (Bucks guard) Gary Trent (Jr.) for a minimum?” the executive asked Katz. “We shouldn’t just sign young players because they’re young. … You’ve got to believe Grimes is gonna develop into your starting backcourt with (Tyrese) Maxey.”

Every cent matters for the 76ers, who are at risk of paying the luxury tax. But every cent matters for Quentin Grimes, too.

I polled 16 people from NBA front offices, asking them what they would deem a "fair" contract for Grimes. Results in here.

Story: https://t.co/pyZXwBDfhV pic.twitter.com/1y67PfXcVR
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) July 29, 2025