The Philadelphia 76ers enter the season wondering when Joel Embiid will play in a game this season after dealing with another knee injury.
With Embiid slowly working his way back, one player who won’t be a question mark for the 76ers next season will be Quentin Grimes, who inked a one-year $8.7 million qualifying offer to return to Philadelphia, per ESPN’s Sham Charania.
Re-signing Grimes for another season was a savvy move for the Sixers, as Grimes proved to perform well after being traded from the Dallas Mavericks at last year's trade deadline.
Playing in 28 games, averaging 21.9 points, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals. Grimes proved to be a weapon on the glass for the Sixers, averaging 4.1 defensive rebounds, but averaged a rebound a game off the offensive glass.
Restricted free agent Quentin Grimes is signing a one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer to return to the Philadelphia 76ers, agent David Bauman told ESPN. Grimes will now hold an inherent no-trade clause and enter a more flush market in unrestricted free agency next summer. pic.twitter.com/RZz2XIPu1A
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 1, 2025
According to Charania, signing Grimes to the qualifying offer gave the Sixers the ability to retain his Bird rights and “a solid chance to retain him while maintaining the sign-and-trade possibility next summer.”
Grimes was the last restricted free agent to sign, with Josh Giddy of the Chicago Bulls, Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors and Cam Thomas of the Brooklyn Nets all reaching deals ahead of him.
The Sixers re-signing Grimes couldn't come at a better time, as they’ll be without their 2024 first-round draft pick, Jared McCain, who had successful surgery on his thumb on Wednesday to repair a UCL tear. McCain had been rehabbing from a meniscus injury he suffered last season. McCain is set to miss at least the first month of the regular season.
The Sixers acquired Grimes last season to address their inability to shoot from the perimeter, but his meshing with the team made it a no-brainer for him to return. With McCain sidelined, Grimes will be a great fill-in until he’s back.
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