Overview

• Philadelphia declined agent David Bauman’s request to push back the deadline, and Grimes did not travel with the team for preseason games in Abu Dhabi.
• Multiple reports indicate Grimes is now likely to play 2025–26 on the $8.7 million qualifying offer, with a one-year balloon deal discussed as an alternative that would require waiving his implicit no-trade clause.
• Talks reflect a major valuation gap, with Grimes’ camp pursuing near $20–25 million annually as a Philadelphia source disputes a reported four-year, $39 million framework.
• Cap math looms large, as adding Grimes on the qualifying offer or a new deal would put the 76ers into the luxury tax and tighten apron-related trade flexibility.
• The team has weighed salary moves involving Andre Drummond or Kelly Oubre Jr., while Grimes’ late-season surge in Philadelphia (21.9 points per game over 28 contests) anchors his leverage.