Though they’re feeling the pressure after a calamitous season, the Philadelphia 76ers have avoided making any major trades. In fact, the biggest move they’ve made this summer was selecting Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe third overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. Edgecombe, an upper echelon athlete with the potential to be a defensive force, will be an immediate compliment to scoring-minded guards Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain.
With that being said, as McCain’s outstanding rookie campaign was abbreviated by a meniscus tear, his return will feel like an offseason addition. Fortunately, the TikTok sensation expects to be ready by training camp, per Sixers Wire reporter Ky Carlin. Paul George, who was held to just 41 games in his debut Sixers season, may come in like a summertime pickup himself. And yet, none of this overshadows their stalemate with restricted free agent Quentin Grimes.
Nets Could Provide Solution To Sixers, Quentin Grimes Stalemate
At the 2024-25 trade deadline, the Sixers made a sharp decision, acquiring Grimes and a second-round pick from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Caleb Martin.
Grimes had been traded by the New York Knicks the previous season, winding up with the Detroit Pistons. After one of his worst stretches, he was traded to a Mavericks team that wanted to solidify their perimeter defense. After rediscovering his shooting stroke, Grimes dazzled as a 3-and-D wing in Dallas. So much so that the Mavericks offered him a contract extension. However, Grimes believed he could attract even better deals, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Surprisingly, the former 25th overall pick was even better with the Sixers than he was in Dallas. Capitalizing on injuries to Philadelphia’s key players, he put up star numbers, often operating as their No. 1 option. Now, thanks to a healthy and stuffed backcourt, he’s slid back down the totem pole.
Trading Andre Drummond
If Grimes hadn’t played hardball, he’d be signing a three-year, $27 million contract with the Mavs. Instead, he “allegedly has a chance to” agree to sign a $8.7 million qualifying offer from the Sixers, per Bleacher Report insider Jake Fischer. Grimes would then become an unrestricted free agent in 2026, when multiple teams are expected to have maximum cap space. However, because Philadelphia has a deeper guard rotation, his free market value could take a hit by then.
As a result, he’s in a tricky position. His safest bet could be returning to the Sixers, but they could make the decision easier by increasing their offer. With that in mind, “there has been buzz all summer long about the Sixers looking to potentially move one of, if not both, Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre (Jr.),” per Fischer.
“If they are able to find a deal for one of those two guys as we get closer to camp, that would open up some more wiggle room for Philadelphia to be able to pay Grimes a little bit more…”
Between Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andre Drummond, there’s more noise about the latter leaving. This is in part due to the Brooklyn Nets’ interest in taking on salary. Recently, “a league source agreed (with Third Apron salary cap expert Yossi Gozlan) that Drummond would fill the bill for Brooklyn and get them to the cap floor,” per NetsDaily’s Bob Windrem.
Trading Kelly Oubre Jr.
As Oubre is a couple of years younger than Drummond, he’d seem to be a better fit for Brooklyn in case a buyout couldn’t be reached. To that point, the Nets do appear invested in Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe, two centers under 27 years old. Similarly, the Sixers need to have a safety net in the likely event that Joel Embiid is unavailable. However, if Drummond leaves, sophomore Adem Bona and rookie Johni Broome will presumably be available.
Ironically though, if the Sixers trade Drummond rather than Oubre, it may not help Grimes much in the long run. Though they have different play styles, they’re both looking to score. Just consider, Oubre (13.3 PPG) has a higher career scoring average than Grimes (10.4 PPG).
To the average person, getting paid more to do less is a dream come true. But considering that Grimes could still be years from reaching the zenith of his abilities, it’s a handicap. With fewer opportunities to put his talents on display, his value will either stagnate or be capped.
Of course, Oubre will be making $8.3 million next season compared to Drummond’s $5 million. As a result, he could be out of Brooklyn’s price range. That is, unless the Nets are willing to accommodate his arrival by trading one of their many novices.
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