The Philadelphia 76ers are amid a four-day rest that offers them a moment to reflect upon the positives and negatives that composed their 13-10 record. Quentin Grimes’ performance has gradually shed light on a question that goes beyond Philadelphia’s record, however.
Injuries to Joel Embiid, Paul George and Jared McCain thrusted Grimes into a heightened offensive role that he received a sample of last season. Now, the 25-year-old is experiencing career-highs in points and assists per game coming off the bench. If Grimes sustains this production level, he could become one of the more coveted free agents after this season, forcing the 76ers to pay up.
Philadelphia acquired Grimes from the Dallas Mavericks for Caleb Martin on February 4th and it turned out to be the second-worst trade of Nico Harrison’s tenure. The guard – who went on to enter restricted free agency last summer – used the 76ers’ 2025 NBA Draft Lottery quest to establish himself, averaging 21.9 points through 28 games last year.
It got awkward
What Grimes thought was a league-wide audition unfolded as a cat-and-mouse game, however.
The second tax apron discouraged teams from offering lucrative contracts to players sandwiched between all-star and role player status, desaturating the restricted free-agent market. Philadelphia inherited Grimes’ bird rights, giving it the ability to match any deal a team offers him, regardless of its salary cap situation.
But, without any interested teams, the 76ers – already brushed up against the first apron – had no reason to hand Grimes a big paycheck, leading to a stalemate.
Unsatisfied with he and Philadelphia’s two-month negotiations, the 25-year-old accepted his $8.7 million qualifying offer on October 1st. By doing so, Grimes essentially holds a no-trade clause and will venture into unrestricted free agency following this season, meaning that he could agree to a contract of his liking without Philadelphia’s interference.
Grimes sticking around isn't impossible
The 76ers still maintain some control, nonetheless.
Since it possesses his bird rights, Philadelphia could offer Grimes as much as a multi-year maximum deal, it’s simply a matter of whether it feels the need to. VJ Edgecombe has displayed two-way flashes in his rookie campaign, totaling 14.4 points and starting all 20 games played. Jared McCain is slowly returning to form, eclipsing double digits in four of his last eight games.
Grimes’ multifaceted scoring and secondary ball-handling have helped keep the 76ers afloat amidst injuries and he will be critical in a potential playoff run. But, Philadelphia may not want to financially commit to him with Edgecombe and McCain trending upward. Not to mention, it owes Embiid and George a total of nearly $300 million throughout the next three years.