Restricted free agent Quentin Grimes is returning to the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2025-26 season, but not on the contract he initially wanted. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Grimes is signing a one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer — nearly $22 million less annually than his original asking price.
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
Charania reports that Grimes initially sought $30 million annually from the 76ers before lowering his demands to $20-$25 million per season. Contract negotiations stalled, and Grimes opted for the qualifying offer. He will now be an unrestricted free agent after the season and holds an inherent no-trade clause.
“With Grimes now on the qualifying offer, the 76ers will retain his Bird rights and believe they have a solid chance to retain Grimes while maintaining the sign-and-trade possibility with him next summer,” Charania points out.
Career Year With 76ers Sets Stage for Payday
The 76ers acquired Grimes from the Dallas Mavericks at last season’s trade deadline, and he posted career highs in points (14.6), rebounds (4.3), assists (3.0) and steals (1.0). In 28 games with Philadelphia, Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals while serving as the team’s primary scoring option with Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey sidelined. He had five games of at least 30 points and two over 40.
Grimes was selected 25th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft and has played for four teams entering his fifth season: New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Mavericks and 76ers.
With Grimes returning, he will most likely start alongside Maxey in the backcourt. The 76ers will feature one of the league’s top guard rotations with Maxey, Grimes, Jared McCain and rookie VJ Edgecombe. However, McCain underwent thumb surgery and will miss four-to-six weeks.
The 76ers still face uncertainty about when Embiid and George will return from knee surgeries they underwent over the summer. Embiid played in just 19 games last season while George missed 41 games in his first year in Philadelphia.
