76ers Would Be Right Not to Sign Quentin Grimes to Contract Extension Amid NBA Rumors
The Philadelphia 76ers will be without restricted free agent Quentin Grimes when the team travels to Abu Dhabi for its preseason games against the New York Knicks amid contract negotiations. Grimes wants a multi-year deal worth somewhere between $17.5 million and $21 million, while the team has offered him one year and $8.7 million, with the caveat that Grimes would have to waive his no-trade clause.
Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype reported that the Sixers have a good reason for not wanting to throw money at Grimes just yet, writing:
"Philadelphia is loaded at guard with Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, and third overall pick VJ Edgecombe. The 76ers want to figure out if McCain's production over the first 23 games of his rookie campaign is sustainable before he suffered a lateral meniscus tear, and whether or not Edgecombe will become the player they believe he can be before committing big money to Grimes with max players already on the roster, including Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Maxey."
It is the right decision for the Sixers not to overpay Grimes early in negotiations.
In no way does that diminish what the fifth-year man accomplished a season ago. Grimes averaged 23 points, shot 47.5 percent from the floor, 38.1 percent from beyond the arc, and averaged 5.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists for a Sixers team that went nowhere in an injury-plagued season.
And therein lies why the organization should not be quick to pay Grimes.
The guard proved himself because the team was plagued by injuries last season. He got court time because Jared McCain tore his lateral meniscus and was forced to the sidelines. His best came when Philadelphia was already out of contention and had no realistic shot at the postseason.
The front office understandably needs to see Grimes repeat that performance, replicate those numbers, and do so without all the opportunities he received last year. The logjam in front of him at guard, coupled with the financial status of the team and what another big contract would do for its status below the second luxury tax apron, has made them hesitant to reward a player with only one real season of breakout play on his resume.
Grimes may have the opportunity to prove himself sooner rather than later, with the report that McCain tore a UCL in his thumb.
Resisting paying him more than they are comfortable with not only prevents them from making a bad financial decision, but also ensures the team is not financially tied to a player who, long term, may take up space on a roster that must maximize its value if the team is to be a legitimate contender in a loaded Eastern Conference.
Yes, Grimes showed potential a year ago and, yes, he is probably worth more than the $8.7 million the team is offering.
Still, it is in his best interest to take the deal, show the Sixers and the rest of the league that last year's level of play was not a mirage, and earn himself a substantially bigger payday after the season.
The alternative is increasing frustration on both sides and damage done to a relationship that, like it or not, allowed Grimes to showcase his talents in a significant role in the first place.
