Grimes returns to 76ers on one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer
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Restricted free agent Quentin Grimes will remain with the Philadelphia 76ers after accepting a one-year qualifying offer worth $8.7 million, agent David Bauman told ESPN on Wednesday.
The agreement, finalized hours before the 11:59 p.m. ET deadline on Oct. 1, 2025, gives the 25-year-old guard a full no-trade clause for the 2025-26 season and positions him for unrestricted free agency next summer, when at least 10 teams are projected to have meaningful cap space.
Bauman said negotiations stalled throughout the offseason. Philadelphia’s first formal proposal arrived Sept. 24—a four-year, $39 million offer. The club later put a one-year, $8.8 million deal on the table that required Grimes to waive the no-trade protection. Grimes’ camp countered with a one-year, $17 million package and a two-year, $34 million offer with a player option; both were declined.
Grimes is coming off a season in which he set personal highs in scoring (14.6 points per game), rebounds (4.3), assists (3.0) and steals (1.0). After being acquired from Dallas at February’s trade deadline, he averaged 21.9 points and 4.5 assists in 28 games for Philadelphia, producing five 30-point and two 40-point outings.
With rookie guard VJ Edgecombe drafted third overall and injuries lingering over Joel Embiid and Paul George, the 76ers opted against a long-term, high-salary commitment this summer. By signing the qualifying offer, the team retains Grimes’ Bird rights and the option to pursue a sign-and-trade next offseason.
Grimes, the No. 25 pick in the 2021 draft, previously played for the Knicks, Pistons and Mavericks before landing in Philadelphia. His return solidifies a backcourt that will open the season without Jared McCain, who is expected to miss four to six weeks following thumb surgery.
The guard was the last restricted free agent to reach an agreement this year. Earlier in September, Josh Giddey signed for four years and $100 million with Chicago, Cam Thomas accepted a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer from Brooklyn, and Jonathan Kuminga inked a two-year, $48.5 million deal with Golden State. Limited league-wide cap space—aside from the Nets—contributed to a sluggish restricted market.
Source: ESPN
