Overview

• Grimes accepted the $8.7 million qualifying offer before the Oct. 1 deadline, giving him a season-long trade veto and a path to unrestricted free agency in 2026.
• The sides were far apart: Philadelphia’s proposals included four years at $39 million and one year at $8.8 million to waive the veto, while Grimes’ camp countered with one year at $17 million or two years at $34 million after earlier targets of $20–25 million annually.
• By signing the qualifying offer, the 76ers retain his Bird rights and can try to re-sign him or pursue a sign-and-trade next summer; any in-season trade he approves would leave the acquiring team with only Non-Bird rights in 2026.
• Cap constraints shaped the outcome, with team salary reported around $194.8 million—above the tax line and just below the first apron—dampening appetite for a multi-year, high-AAV commitment.
• After arriving at the deadline, Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 28 games, and his early-season role looms large with Jared McCain sidelined 4–6 weeks following thumb surgery.