The Philadelphia 76ers are almost done finalizing their roster ahead of the 2025-26 season (or training camp at the very least), but thanks to the Quentin Grimes saga still not having a clear answer at this critical juncture, the front office remains belabored with a major task that needs a resolution as soon as possible.
As expected, Grimes’ restricted free agency has been a huge push-and-pull between the 76ers and his camp. Coming off a brief, yet fiery stint last season when he turned in his best production as a pro after coming over to Philly from Dallas before the trade deadline, Grimes is understandably seeking a handsome pay raise.
However, Daryl Morey and company have been firm in their reservation about handing him a more lucrative offer. With all teams having already exhausted their cap space, it is extremely unlikely that another front office would be amenable to tendering a gainful offer sheet to Grimes, thereby forcing the 76ers into matching.
And thanks to some recent developments, Grimes has another reason to settle with a more moderate deal while the 76ers could become even more motivated to maintain this status quo.
76ers get a huge hint on how to address their Quentin Grimes free agency issue thanks to the Nets
A similar situation is transpiring in Brooklyn, where the Nets are also in an impasse with their own restricted free agent in Cam Thomas. The electric scorer’s perceived value has greatly fluctuated, but their front office has definitely taken a brazen step in negotiations.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Nets have extended a rather brow-raising offer to Thomas — a contract to the tune of two years and $28 million. The amount is completely far-flung from the young guard’s camp’s reported demand of a four-year, $100 million deal.
For someone like Thomas, that is a completely shocking figure. But for Grimes, whose breakout production came under some extraordinary circumstances, it is reasonable. The 76ers were previously reported to be hovering around that ballpark figure as their offer to the 25-year-old, and they probably should continue adopting that stance moving forward.
Philly has already committed a hefty amount of money to their main cogs, and handing Grimes what he wants — reckoned to be in the $25 million range — would be an unerring display of reckless spending.
Some teams like Brooklyn are already flexing their muscle in free agency negotiations, and given both their short and long-term interests, the Philadelphia 76ers should do the same with Quentin Grimes.