It appears the Philadelphia 76ers never made a serious offer to Quentin Grimes to try and get him to re-sign.
One of the long-running stories of this NBA offseason was the restricted free agency of Quentin Grimes. While not nearly as dramatic as Jonathan Kuminga, Grimes had a rough experience this summer.
Last week, Quentin Grimes took his $8.7 million qualifying offer with the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite President Daryl Morey’s confidence in Grimes returning, the two sides failed to come to an agreement.
While the 76ers could have offered Grimes a $45 million deal, they chose not to commit that kind of money to the young star.
And as it turns out, their highest offer to him didn’t even come close to what Grimes was looking for. And in doing so, they may have guaranteed his exit next summer.
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty ImagesPhiladelphia 76ers lowballed Quentin Grimes with one-year, $9 million offer
Marc Stein and Jake Fischer put out a report about some of the final and upcoming contract extensions. When it comes to Quentin Grimes, his situation was far more dire than Jonathan Kuminga’s.
Grimes was open to signing for less-than-max money. However, the 76ers chose to lowball him, offering a one-year, $9 million deal.
Instead, Grimes signed his qualifying offer for $300,000 less, but one that comes with a no-trade clause.
“Grimes took his one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer in Philadelphia because the Sixers did not think he was worth close to the $25 million annual salary range that the Grimes camp was seeking.
“The sides were so far apart, sources say, that Philadelphia saw little need all summer to make an offer of any kind to Grimes until the week before training camps opened.
“There was a fairly widespread belief that Philly would eventually make a one-year pitch sufficiently lucrative (in the, say, $15 million range) that would have convinced Grimes, like Kuminga, to surrender his right to block any trade this season that comes with the qualifier.
“But I’m told the Sixers never came close to that range. Philadelphia’s highest offer on a one-year pact, sources say, topped out at $9 million.”
Restricted free agent Quentin Grimes is signing a one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer to return to the Philadelphia 76ers, agent David Bauman told ESPN. Grimes will now hold an inherent no-trade clause and enter a more flush market in unrestricted free agency next summer. pic.twitter.com/RZz2XIPu1A
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 1, 2025
View Tweet
Quentin Grimes could make Philadelphia 76ers look foolish next season
If what Jake Fischer is reporting is accurate, then the Philadelphia 76ers clearly didn’t see much in Quentin Grimes.
And this decision could backfire on them. Grimes was incredible for the 76ers, putting up All-Star numbers after being traded to the team.
Now, the 76ers find themselves in a lose-lose position. Losing Grimes for nothing in free agency is going to be a bad look.
And they can’t trade Grimes next season, at least not without his permission, as his qualifying offer comes with a no-trade clause that he’d have to waive.
Daryl Morey finds himself in an unenviable position. And quite frankly, it’s a position he’s put himself with bad decision-making.