Overview

• Grimes remains a restricted free agent days before the Oct. 1 deadline to sign the $8.7 million qualifying offer that would preserve a no‑trade clause and set up 2026 unrestricted free agency.
• League reporting says the Sixers’ formal proposal is a one‑year deal slightly above the qualifier that would require Grimes to give up his no‑trade protection.
• Agent David Bauman says Philadelphia loosely pitched a four‑year, $39 million structure, while Grimes’ camp has targeted annual salaries in roughly the $17.5–21 million range or a one‑year balloon.
• Insider reporting indicates Grimes would strongly consider taking the qualifying offer if no larger one‑year option emerges to keep flexibility and control.
• Jared McCain’s UCL injury sidelining him an estimated 4–6 weeks is viewed as increasing Grimes’ potential role and leverage, and Grimes will skip media day and training camp until under contract.