Philadelphia 76ers Keep Core Intact During Uneventful 2025 Offseason
philadelphia-76ers-2025-offseason-review
The Philadelphia 76ers opted for stability rather than sweeping changes during the 2025 offseason, holding on to their star duo of Joel Embiid and Paul George after a 24-58 campaign and a slide from preseason contender to lottery participant.
Key free-agent moves
Quentin Grimes accepted his $8.74 million qualifying offer, returning on a one-year deal that includes full veto power over trades. Philadelphia also re-signed:
- Justin Edwards – three years, $7.08 million (third-year team option)
- Trendon Watford – two-year minimum (second-year team option)
- Eric Gordon – one-year minimum, trade veto waived
- Kyle Lowry – one-year minimum
Six Exhibit 10 deals went to Emoni Bates, Kennedy Chandler, Malcolm Hill, Igor Milicic, Saint Thomas and Marcus Bagley; Bagley has since been waived.
Draft additions
- No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe signed a four-year, $50.44 million rookie contract.
- No. 35 pick Johni Broome inked a four-year, $8.69 million pact (first two years guaranteed, third non-guaranteed, fourth-year team option).
Two-way contracts
Philadelphia filled its three two-way slots with Dominick Barlow, Hunter Sallis and Jabari Walker; each will move from an $85,300 partial guarantee to $318,218 when the regular season opens.
Departures
Rotation forward Guerschon Yabusele joined the New York Knicks on a near-taxpayer mid-level deal. Other free agents leaving the organization include Jared Butler (Suns), Jeff Dowtin Jr. and Lonnie Walker IV (both signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv). The club also waived Ricky Council IV and two-way player Alex Reese.
Salary-cap outlook
The 76ers are operating above the $187.9 million luxury-tax line with an estimated $194.6 million payroll, but they still possess the full $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level and $5.13 million bi-annual exceptions, plus three trade exceptions (largest: $7.98 million). Management may keep the 15th roster spot vacant to preserve flexibility to dip below the tax later in the year.
Why Grimes returned on the QO
League sources indicated Philadelphia’s best multiyear offer to Grimes hovered around $39 million over four years — well short of what the 25-year-old sought after averaging 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 28 games for the club. Accepting the qualifying offer protects Grimes with a no-trade clause and sets him up for unrestricted free agency in 2026.
Outlook
With 14 guaranteed contracts, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and head coach Nick Nurse will enter camp largely unchanged. The front office will monitor the development of rookie guard Edgecombe and second-year center Adem Bona; Bona’s progress could increase veteran Andre Drummond’s trade availability closer to the February deadline. For now, Philadelphia expects a quiet run-up to opening night, as the roster features no extension-eligible players and no active trade talks.
Source: Hoops Rumors
