Stunning Development in Sixers’ Stalemate with RFA Quentin Grimes

We have a stunning bit of news in the case of Quentin Grimes, one of the two premier restricted free agents still unsigned as training camp quickly approaches at the end of the week.

According to insider Shams Charania, the Philadelphia 76ers only made their first formal contract offer to the RFA today. Yes, three months of the offseason had breezed by, without a single serious offer to Grimes.

The 76ers made their FIRST formal contract offer to Quentin Grimes TODAY, per @ShamsCharania

The two sides remain “very far apart” and Grimes will not be attending media day pic.twitter.com/1XbUkRyXel
— Mave Sports Network (@mave_sports007) September 24, 2025

Charania says the two sides remain "very far apart." Don't expect to see Grimes' mug smiling for the cameras at Media Day for the opening of Sixers training camp.

"I'm told both of these sides are very far apart on a deal. Quentin Grimes’ agent David Bauman told me today that it was the first time—today—that the Sixers made a formal, hard offer to Grimes as a restricted free agent. And Bauman added to me that Grimes will not be attending 76ers media day on Friday. He also will not be traveling with the team this weekend to Abu Dhabi for preseason".

Grimes has until Oct. 1 to accept $8.7M qualifying offer

Grimes must accept his $8.7 million one-year qualifying offer by October 1st, just one week away. However, a late afternoon report on Wednesday indicates that the two camps are hoping to make some progress after talks today.

Sources: Quentin Grimes and his camp, in a conversation with the sixers today, proposed for the Qualifying offer deadline to be extended to October 8. It would give the two sides an extra week to try and hammer out a deal
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) September 24, 2025

According to Tony Jones, the Grimes' side proposed that the Qualifying offer deadline be extended to October 8 in order to give the two sides an extra week to try and hammer out a deal. They must have each heard at least something that they liked in today's discussion.

If they can't come to terms, however, Charania wouldn't rule out a potential sign-and-trade for Grimes. He also posited the possibility of the two sides agreeing on a larger one-year deal where Grimes would agree to waive the no-trade clause that automatically comes with a QO signing.

With a healthy Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and grizzled veteran Kyle Lowry also in the backcourt, it'll be crowded back there, leaving the Sixers potentially willing, at this point, to roll the dice on Grimes and risk losing him after the season.

Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists in his 28 games with Philly last season (25 starts), by far the best stretch of games in his four-year career.