Concerning News Revealed for 76ers Amid NBA Free Agency

Concerning News Revealed for 76ers Amid NBA Free Agency originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Nobody likes waiting for good news in July. Not even the Philadelphia 76ers, who’ve kicked off free agency with a few solid moves but now find themselves staring at a big question mark. And it's not the kind of cliffhanger you enjoy.

The Sixers wasted no time early in free agency. They signed Trendon Watford. They added Jabari Walker. And they re-signed veteran Eric Gordon. Depth, versatility, and toughness? Check, check, and check. But while they’ve patched some holes, one big piece of the puzzle still hangs in limbo. 

That piece is Quentin Grimes. The young guard burst onto the scene late last season after his trade from Dallas. In 28 games, he averaged 21.9 points and had explosive nights of 44 and 46 points, according to ESPN. He gave Philly something they badly needed that is shot creation and scoring punch.

Yet, according to The Athletic's Kelly Iko, the Sixers haven’t made much progress on bringing him back. "To this point, there has been little to no movement with restricted free agent guard Quentin Grimes and the Philadelphia 76ers," Iko tweeted. He also noted both sides still hope to keep talking in the coming days.

The bigger question now? Who else is chasing Grimes? Detroit and Brooklyn were rumored to be lurking, but both teams have already addressed their guard needs. That leaves Grimes and the Sixers circling each other in a staring contest.

To this point, there has been little to no movement with restricted free agent guard Quentin Grimes and the Philadelphia 76ers, league sources tell myself and @Tjonesonthenba. The two sides are hoping to continue communication in the coming days.

— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) July 5, 2025

The Sixers know Grimes fits. He can score off the dribble, attack in isolation and knock down catch-and-shoot threes. And frankly, they need him.

But until pen meets paper, uncertainty remains. And in an offseason where every team wants to feel secure, this is the kind of loose end that keeps front offices awake at night.

Related: 76ers Make Jared McCain Announcement Before 2025 NBA Draft Lottery

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.