The Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets are sticking to their respective contract strategies, according to reporting by Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
76ers and Quentin Grimes
Who: Restricted free agent guard Quentin Grimes and the 76ers
What: First formal contract offer issued this week
Why it matters: Significant gap remains between team and player on salary expectations
Philadelphia held back a formal proposal until recently because its valuation of Grimes differed sharply from the figure sought by agent David Bauman. With sign-and-trade possibilities now viewed as unlikely, league sources expect Grimes to settle on a one-year deal slightly above his $8.7 million qualifying offer.
Bauman asked Philadelphia to shift Grimes’ qualifying-offer deadline from Oct. 1 to Oct. 8—citing the club’s preseason trip to Abu Dhabi—but the 76ers have so far declined. The front office also floated moving the contracts of Kelly Oubre Jr. or Andre Drummond to free up money, yet refuses to attach draft picks to offload either salary.
Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga
Who: Forward Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors
What: No agreement on contract structure; Oct. 1 qualifying-offer deadline unchanged
Kuminga’s representatives have pressed Golden State for player options, but the Warriors remain committed to proposals featuring team options only—namely a two-year, $45 million package and a three-year, $75 million alternative. The franchise similarly declined a Sacramento Kings sign-and-trade framework built around Malik Monk, in part because Monk carries a $21.5 million player option for 2027-28. Golden State is prioritizing roster flexibility for summer 2027, when deals for Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green expire.
Heat, Jazz and Front-court Moves
The Miami Heat explored the possibility of adding center Mo Bamba before he accepted a training-camp deal with the Utah Jazz. Bamba’s arrival in Salt Lake City sparked speculation about a buyout for veteran forward Kevin Love, but current indications are that Love will open the season on Utah’s roster.
Rockets’ Backcourt Plans
Who: Houston Rockets
What: Response to Fred VanVleet’s torn ACL
Houston does not intend to chase an immediate backcourt replacement, opting instead to test rookie Reed Sheppard and second-year guard Amen Thompson in expanded roles. Trade exploration could pick up after Dec. 15, when many recently signed free agents become eligible to be dealt.
Internally, there remains optimism that Kevin Durant will ultimately agree to an extension, though a rookie-scale extension for forward Tari Eason before opening night is considered uncertain.
Source: Hoops Rumors
