With training camp just right around the corner, the Philadelphia 76ers remain one of the few teams that are still technically not finished makig moves this offseason. After all, they have yet to tick off the most important item on their summer checklist, which is, of course, coming to terms with Quentin Grimes on a new deal.
Grimes’ camp has been unrelenting in their pursuit of a handsome payday for the 25-year-old, who did have a mini-breakout last season when he went over to Philly from Dallas before the trade deadline. But naturally, the 76ers have some reservations about handing him a lofty deal.
Aside from the fact that they do have a muddled payroll as of the moment, Grimes’ eye-popping numbers were also a result of him being cudgeled into a primary role he would not have had if the team was not wrecked by injuries.
Still, the expectation around the league is that Grimes will eventually return to Philadelphia on a new deal. However, the terms and specific figures on his next contract could prove to be burdensome for the 76ers, especially in view of the recent developments in the open market.
The 76ers could lose some leverage with Quentin Grimes after shocking Josh Giddey deal
Teams dealing with their own bouts with restricted free agency will most likely just copycat each other, which makes the Bulls’ decision to hand Josh Giddey a rich deal a tad intimidating for the 76ers.
As reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, Chicago has rewarded Giddey with a new, four-year contract amounting to $100 million — a steep figure for a player who has as much flaws as he has strengths.
Seeing this, Grimes’ representation is probably smiling from ear to ear. While he still may not fetch a deal close to what Giddey got, this would empower him to remain steadfast and wait for the 76ers to extend him a lucrative offer.
Philly is rumored to be doing some prepwork behind the scenes to free up some more money to hand to Grimes, so this development only adds some more fuel to the fire. Heck, the possibility of him taking his qualifying option may have just gotten thrown out of the window.
Sooner than later, the Philadelphia 76ers will eventually get to resolve this tiresome deadlock with Quentin Grimes. But when it’s all said and done, the price to pay could be heavy, for better or for worse.