To be clear, the Sixers as of Monday night, are almost certain they are going to retain him, and splashed cold water on potential sign-and-trade scenarios, league sources told The Athletic. The issue for Grimes is that the restricted free agency market is virtually non-existent. There is almost no cap space on the market, and that puts the Sixers in a position where they are bidding against themselves.
League sources are confident that the Sixers and Grimes will find a way to come to terms, even if Sixers fans have grown a bit antsy waiting for a resolution, and even if the market has ground to a halt. At this point however, Grimes and his team are looking for a significant payout, and the Sixers are content to sit back and allow the market to play itself out. Other restricted free agents such as Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga and Chicago guard Josh Giddey are also waiting.
The choices can be simple. Grimes and the Sixers find an acceptable number and come to an agreement. Failing that by the end of the offseason, Grimes could accept Philadelphia’s $8.7 million qualifying offer, which would pave the way for him to hit unrestricted free agency next summer. Or, Grimes and the Sixers could work out a sign and trade. The latter would require Philadelphia to cooperate, which, as of Monday night, makes that avenue unlikely.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6479497/2025/07/08/quentin-grimes-vj-edgecombe-76ers/
