As it turns out, the Philadelphia 76ers may not even find it necessary to break the bank in order to sign a highly coveted free agent of their own, Quentin Grimes.
The 76ers entered free agency with a clear goal in mind: re-sign Grimes at any and all costs. The talented wing emerged as the perhaps the biggest breakout star in the league late in the 2024-25 campaign, so much so that it would be hasty to punch it in as a mere fluke. Put simply, it became a matter of necessity to do whatever it takes to bring him back on a new deal.
However, there were numerous doubts as regards Philly’s ability to keep him in the fold without severely hampering their salary books. Initially, the market for Grimes was reported to be along the lines of a reasonable price point, but shortly after that brief exposé, his camp was reported to have been eyeing a much loftier pay raise.
Thankfully, though, the stars are aligning for the 76ers to tick off their biggest free agency priority thanks to a string of recent developments that will only help them achieve their goal.
The 76ers have no more legitimate competition for Quentin Grimes in free agency
Free agency started off a bit stale, but soon after, numerous teams turned in a barrage of signings. Two of those teams, the Nets and the Pistons, were arguably the 76ers’ main competition for Grimes due to their respective spending power.
But much to Philadelphia’s benefit, both of those teams have effectively sapped themselves of spending power to even tender a lucrative offer for the 25-year-old. Now, Grimes is much more likely to settle for a more modest, yet reasonable price tag starting at around $16 million annually, which the 76ers can easily put forward to retain his services.
The 76ers would be in an even more forgiving position money-wise if they are able to dump some expiring salaries, such as that of Andre Drummond and/or Kelly Oubre, allowing them to secure Grimes more definitively. But nevertheless, at this juncture, the 76ers should be the heavy favorites to scoop him up off the open market.
Acing free agency will be very crucial for the Philadelphia 76ers this year even in the face of a tighter purse and narrower pockets. With the franchise laser-focused in on capitalizing on the East being wide-open next season, securing Quentin Grimes will be the perfect step to bolster their summer slate.