The Philadelphia 76ers are exploring salary-dump trades involving Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre to create room for a new deal with restricted free agent Quentin Grimes, NBA insider Jake Fischer said on a Bleacher Report live stream on September 8.
Fischer noted that the organization has “buzz all summer long” about moving one or both veterans before training camp. Trading either player would reduce payroll and “open up some more wiggle room” to pay Grimes, he said.
Contract details
Drummond exercised a $5 million player option for the 2025-26 season, while Oubre picked up an $8.4 million option. Both are set to become unrestricted free agents next summer.
The 76ers first attempted to find a taker for Drummond in late June, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic, but no deal materialized. Interest has since resurfaced as Philadelphia evaluates ways to stay under the luxury-tax threshold while retaining Grimes.
Potential landing spots
Cap analyst Yossi Gozlan wrote on his Substack, The Third Apron, that moving both Drummond and Oubre could drop the Sixers below the tax line even after re-signing Grimes. Gozlan identified the Brooklyn Nets—the league’s lone team with remaining cap space—as a logical trade partner.
A team source confirmed to NetsDaily that Brooklyn is open to absorbing Drummond’s contract if additional assets are attached.
Status of Quentin Grimes
Front Office writer Luke Adams recently suggested a possible compromise for Grimes at four years and $65 million, with a partial guarantee in the fourth season. Grimes fueled speculation about his return by posting an Instagram photo of himself in a Sixers uniform, noted by PHLY Sports reporter Kyle Neubeck.
No specific teams have been connected to Oubre, but his expiring deal makes him a natural trade candidate as Philadelphia seeks flexibility.
Source: Hoops Rumors
