Significant Turn of Events After Sixers Lowball Quentin Grimes With Contract Offer

Restricted free agent Quentin Grimes is one of the biggest unsigned names in the NBA as we get set to head to training camps next week. We got word on Wednesday that the Philadelphia 76ers finally made their first formal offer to Grimes of the entire offseason. But it's not going to get a deal done.

According to reports, the Sixers lowballed Grimes with a four-year, $39 million offer, which works out to an AAV of just under $10 million. The breakthrough guard figures his value is around $20-$25 million/year. That's a heckuva gap.

Quentin Grimes reportedly believes he is worth $25 million per year, per @ginamizell

The Sixers’ formal offer was for 4 years / $39 million pic.twitter.com/dZcrTEtOfb
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 25, 2025

However, breaking news late Thursday afternoon out of Philly has just given Grimes a huge boost in bargaining power.

Jared McCain—the rookie sensation whose lengthy injury last season gave Grimes the opportunity to shine—has just suffered another blow, with a torn thumb ligament.

Breaking: Jared McCain suffered a UCL tear in his right thumb during a workout Thursday, the 76ers announced.

McCain and the team are consulting with specialists on next steps. pic.twitter.com/2usd8JkulE
— ESPN (@espn) September 25, 2025

McCain suffered a UCL tear in his right thumb during a workout, and he will obviously miss some time. Last year, after busting out of the gate as a rookie, averaging 15.3 points, 2.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 23 games, he suffered a season-ending lateral meniscus tear in his left knee in December.

With Tyrese Maxey also going down to a season-ending injury in March, Grimes, who came in at the trade deadline, took over the starter's role in the backcourt and averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 28 games (25 starts).

Now, the other part of the backcourt equation for Philly is that they were able to snag shooting guard VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft, so he will be a factor as well, potentially hurting Grimes' negotiating position, regardless of the latest McCain injury.

Failing the Sixers and Grimes camps narrowing the massive chasm that exists in their contract talks, Grimes has until Oct. 1 to accept the $8.7M qualifying offer.