The Philadelphia 76ers have remained hopeful they can re-sign Quentin Grimes this offseason. After a breakout campaign, Grimes has asked for a pretty penny, but that hasn’t stopped the 76ers.
Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, the 76ers feel pretty good about their chances of bringing Grimes back despite the ongoing negotiations.
“The Sixers continue to express confidence that they will re-sign Grimes despite the stalemate there,” Fischer said. “My read is that the sides will ultimately see sufficient mutual benefit in a new deal to hash out something that starts above Grimes’ $8.7 million qualifying offer.”
Grimes had previously been reported to be asking for a salary in the $20-25 million range, with the 76ers not biting on the bait, that price has come down, leaving the qualifying offer as potentially his best option.
“The Sixers are clearly in no rush to strike such an agreement with Grimes, like his fellow RFAs, unable to generate an offer sheet because no team other than Brooklyn has the salary cap space to present one,” Fischer wrote. “Which means Grimes has his own thinking to do about taking the qualifying offer himself.”
After initially struggling to find his way in the NBA with the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and Dallas Mavericks, Grimes found his niche with the 76ers, averaging 21.9 points per game in 28 appearances with the team last season. Grimes served as one of the few bright spots for a bad 76ers team, and could be an important piece to their future as they still try to contend in the Eastern Conference.