Quentin Grimes wants to capitalize on his red-hot finish to last season after being traded to Philadelphia. The 76ers remain $1.7 million below the luxury tax line this season — despite having two players in Joel Embiid and Paul George making north of $50 million this season — and donâ€t want to mess with future flexibility for a roster where there is great potential but a lot of questions.
That is likely to lead to a one-year deal between Grimes and Philly, something that has seemed likely from earlier reporting and was confirmed by Michael Scotto of Hoopshype. Grimes was seeking a long-term offer starting north of $17 million (approximately $20 million per season or close to it), and the Sixers†first formal offer was significantly below that, at four years, $39 million, Grimes†agent, David Bauman, told Scotto. The Sixers have pushed back on that idea as a formal offer and it was simply part of a negotiation.
However the sides wish to spin it, they are too far apart to find common ground on a long-term deal before the Oct. 1 deadline (when Grimes would have to pick up his qualifying offer). That has the sides moving toward a one-year contract. Scotto added details on that.
At this point, the 76ers have formally offered Grimes a one-year deal thatâ€s slightly higher than his qualifying offer of $8.7 million with the caveat that heâ€d waive his no-trade clause, league sources told HoopsHype. For Grimes to waive his no-trade clause flexibility on any one-year deal, Philadelphiaâ€s offer would preferably be somewhere north of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($14 million) and $19 million range, league sources told HoopsHype.
Grimes has made a total of $11.1 million across four NBA seasons, so taking the qualifying offer at $8.7 million more than doubles what he made in any one season of his career. That said, he doesnâ€t want to leave money on the table now, and for Philly, if it offers him something like $15 million for the season, it retains his Bird rights and can pay more next summer to keep him if it wishes. That said, anything north of $9.8 million pushes the Sixers above the first apron of the luxury tax, somewhat limiting their ability to make in-season moves.
Grimes wants to cash in on the red-hot 28 games he had with the 76ers after the trade deadline last season, when he averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists a game. Philadelphia is deep with guards, including Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain (who will miss the start of the season with a thumb injury) and just-drafted VJ Edgecombe. Grimes†role this season will be a smaller one than he had at the end of last season, but still a key one as a starter or sixth man, and how much are the 76ers willing to pay for that?
We will find out by Oct. 1.
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