Sixers guard Quentin Grimes has the support of star center Joel Embiid in his ongoing contract standoff with the team, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer (subscription required). Following Saturday’s practice, reporters asked Embiid for his stance on Grimes, who remains away from the team while trying to work out a new deal and isn’t expected to be part of an upcoming trip to Abu Dhabi.
“As players, this is a business. You gotta do what you gotta do as an individual to take care of yourself and your family,” Embiid said. “So just like it happened the last couple of times I’ve been here, it’s the same thing. I don’t blame anybody. I think we’re here with what we have, and I also don’t blame those guys who wanted to take care of themselves. That’s the right play. That’s what I would do if I was in that situation, too.”
Agent David Bauman claimed the Sixers made their first formal offer on Wednesday at $39MM over four years, which is far less than the restricted free agent is seeking. A source familiar with the negotiations told Pompey on Saturday that the reported amount wasn’t an actual offer and the two sides aren’t close to reaching a deal.
Pompey believes Grimes and the Sixers are headed toward a one-year agreement, whether that involves accepting an $8.7MM qualifying offer by Wednesday’s deadline or potentially a higher offer from the team if Grimes is willing to waive a no-trade clause.
There’s more from Philadelphia:
- Sixers officials were encouraged by Embiid’s performance Saturday morning in his first workout of training camp, Pompey adds. The former MVP, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April and was limited to 19 games last season, was able to compete with few limitations. “Everything from the start was live. He was in there participating in that stuff,” coach Nick Nurse said. “He didn’t do everything, but he did do quite a bit. He was moving good and playing hard, and he had great spirit out there today.”
- According to Pompey, the only players who weren’t able to take part in today’s practice were Paul George and Trendon Watford, who both did individual sessions on the court. George is still recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in July, while Watford is day to day with tightness in his right hamstring.
- Veteran center Andre Drummond thinks the Sixers have something special in rookie guard VJ Edgecombe, per Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports (Twitter link). Drummond said Edgecombe peppered him with a lot of questions the first time they met. “The first day I saw VJ, I was instantly impressed,” Drummond said. “My favorite thing about him is his confidence.”
Grimes is easily worth 15 mill a yr. Sixers should offer a two yr contract. Gives them depth till VJ and McCain grow some as players. Nets can offer 50 mill 3 yrs. I doubt Sixers match. Grimes will help fill seats in NY. He would be Nets top scorer. Could easily be moved if they wanted to.
Nets didn’t bother to offer Cam decent money I doubt they care to offer Grimes money
Cam isn’t worth it. Grimes is. Cam isn’t worth having on your team lol.
If Grimes wanted to stay on a 2 year, 30 million dollar deal, then I would take that, but that is not what they are seeking from what I hear. (4 for 80 is what the ask was earlier in offseason which is a joke) I am pretty sure this is going to be a qualifying offer prove it deal.
Don’t let Embiid be your spokesman. They won’t go well.
As a Sixers fan there’s nothing that can come out before the season starts that would get me hyped for the upcoming season.
It’s simple they are running it back with the same guys and just hoping this time they stay healthy but I guarantee come playoffs there will be kinda issue or concern with atleast 1 player.
The only silver lining is I don’t think they can have that same energy next offseason and if we don’t win the ECF then something will change. I don’t even care if we go back into full rebuild mode atleast that means eventually we will be good, young players get opportunity and that’s exciting. What we are right now is not exciting at all.
It terms of what could come, maybe Ja has a really good bounce back year and they try give him another weapon in Joel and we get back KCP, Aldama and a pick or two.
Maybe the TWolves want to go smaller and add more of a perimeter threat and we do some kinda PG for Randle deal?
Maybe Miami like PG and give up Rozier and Wiggins?
Maybe Brooklyn gets tired of MPJ being in the media and would rather a more proven vet like PG to be their short term leader.
Yeah, I agree – as a Sixers fan coming off last year’s season, it’s really hard to get excited about us running it back. I am hoping that VJ is the real thing, because that would obviously be a step in the right direction. But unless Embiid and George are capable of playing 50-60 games at a high level, this team is toast as currently constructed.