As frustrating as it is, the Philadelphia 76ers remain at odds with Quentin Grimes and his camp with respect to his free agency. At this point in time, it is probably the only thing keeping the front office up in mind, as the roster still isn’t set with less than a couple of months remaining before training camp officially begins.
The longer this standstill subsists, the more difficult the trek would be for the 76ers. There is, quite frankly, already a slew of extracurriculars the team is dealing with thanks to the deeply Philly-obsessed injury bug, and the franchise simply cannot afford to risk not solidifying the team’s chemistry before the season commences.
So far, as everyone already knows, Grimes’ camp has been insistent on getting him the biggest bag possible, but the 76ers have rightfully not been moved. The front office remains steadfast on maintaining their current offer to the 25-year-old, one presumably not tasteful enough for the latter, especially after this breakout stint last season.
Both camps will inevitably come to an agreement, but in doing so, the 76ers absolutely cannot let up and slip up along the way.
The 76ers have to be very cautious about the implications of a Quentin Grimes extension
To cut to the chase, the 76ers badly need to keep Grimes on a very reasonable deal — one that could even dip below market estimates. After all, Philadelphia is the last team which can afford to be a bit reckless when it comes to spending.
Put simply, the 76ers have absolutely zero financial flexibility to pivot quickly if things go south. Thanks to their blunder with Paul George, the front office does not have the backing of a malleable salary sheet to absorb minor slip-ups, especially in free agency.
That makes keeping Grimes’ price tag low all the more important. Philly already has a glass bridge to walk through with respect to their payroll management when their younger commodities start becoming more expensive to keep, and breaching the tax aprons both have short and long-term ramifictions against transgressors.
Being lavish and financially handicapped have been among the main calling cards of the Philadelphia 76ers in recent years as a franchise, but in their ongoing episode with Quentin Grimes, the front office should do the exact opposite, lest they play a dangerous tango with the tax aprons devils.
That’s just how it is under the new CBA and in the unforgiving phase of the NBA.