The Quentin Grimes saga has dragged on for too long to the point that he has singlehandedly become the main character this offseason for the Philadelphia 76ers. The restricted free agent, who remains without a deal for next season, is stuck in limbo with the front office, and most signs point to this chapter spilling into the upcoming campaign.
The 76ers have always known that getting Grimes to agree to new terms would be highly tricky. After all, circumstances cudgeled the coaching staff into handing him an abnormally larger role last season amidst the team’s ceaseless bouts with injuries. Lo and behold, he absolutely thrived within that context, which probably justifies why he is seeking a larger payday.
Having said that, Philly’s brass seems unconvinced by the stellar, yet brief stint he had in the previous campaign. That is precisely why they are being reported to have lowballed him in a major way for their initial offer.
As bared by 76ers beat reporter Gina Mzell, Grimes’ camp is specifically asking for an offer north of $25 million per year. The front office, however, apparently has not even been willing to tender half of that asking price, reportedly only offering a cheap four-year, $39 million deal that will definitely drop his jaws in disbelief.
The 76ers clearly do not view Quentin Grimes as a long-term piece
For all the great signs that Grimes put out last season, it is as clear as day that the team does not view him as a long-term piece for the franchise. At most, they see him as a complementary role player whose production got an inorganic boost due to circumstances that will most likely not happen again.
Admittedly, there is some truth to that. Grimes will never be the No. 1 option again with Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey expected to be ready for this season, and with VJ Edgecombe and Jared McCain (save for a projected halt to start the year after his latest injury) also projected to have major roles, Grimes would find himself down in the pecking order.
At this point, a short-term deal will probably be the ending for this saga. Philadelphia is starting to become more mindful of its spending which, of course, does not bode well for Grimes amidst the team’s muddled salary books.
But as long as he manages to remain a productive role player in 2025-26, Quentin Grimes should have offers lined up for him moving forward. Unfortunately for him, his turn to get a big piece of the pie has not yet come.
And even when it does, it might not come from the 76ers.