The 76ers have a big decision.
The Philadelphia 76ers have a big decision to make over the next few weeks.
Next season, the 76ers will be looking to put their disastrous 2025 campaign behind them and get back to championship contention. With incoming rookie VJ Edgecombe and the return of their stars, the 76ers could jump right back into the Eastern Conference title race.
Of course, one of the biggest steps for Philadelphia to get back into the mix will be to stay healthy. With Joel Embiid and Paul George already recovering, it could be a rocky start to the season in Philadelphia, which makes Quentin Grimes’ return so crucial.
While there weren’t many bright spots for the 76ers last season, especially in the final weeks, Grimes was truly a light in the darkness. After getting dealt to the City of Brotherly Love at the deadline, he averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists across 28 games.
That production is also what makes Grimes’ restricted free agency so tricky, as noted by Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes. Assuming Philadelphia is healthy, Grimes is unlikely to have the touches to hit those marks again next season.
Along with the star power of Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, other wings like Edgecombe and Jared McCain could hurt Grimes’ numbers. Although Grimes is obviously valuable as a 3-and-D wing who occasionally starts, Hughes noted that the 76ers are in no rush to supply him with an offer sheet to beat a market that is nonexistent.
Grimes certainly wants to get paid like he just averaged over 20 points a night, but the 76ers can’t offer that type of deal to a guy they might only see as a role player. While this negotiation likely ends with Grimes in Philadelphia next season, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him bet on himself and take his talents to free agency again next summer, this time unrestricted.
Category: Basketball
