NBA Trade Rumors: Sixers Exploring Trades For Two Players
The Philadelphia 76ers are in a bit of a bind. They want to bring back restricted free agent Quentin Grimes, but currently don't have the room under the luxury tax to pay him what he wants.
Given that, insider Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report tells us that Philly is looking to clear out some money by trading one of two rotation players.
The Sixers are looking to move at least one of, if not both, Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre. 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 pay Quentin Grimes a bit more.
Grimes was acquired by Philly at the trade deadline from Dallas, and he took the opening that was afforded him in the Sixers lineup and ran with it. Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 28 games (25 starts) with the team, earning himself a role in what will be a very crowded (or very deep, depending on your perspective) Philly backcourt this season.
As a restricted free agent, Grimes is not in the best of bargaining positions, and the Sixers do not have to overpay him. On the other hand, he holds some cards in this game as well, as he could simply accept his $8.7 million qualifying offer and then hit unrestricted free agency after the season. Is he willing to gamble on that? Last year was by far his best season in his four-year career.
Philly does, as mentioned, have a plethora of talented guards, including Tyrese Maxey and sensational sophomore Jared McCain.
