Anonymous NBA executive compares Sixers top free agent to veteran making league minimum

There is a significant variance in the perceived value of one of the NBA's top available restricted free agents, former Philadelphia Sixers guard Quentin Grimes.

Fred Katz of The Athletic recently polled 16 league executives to determine the value of Grimes. Thirteen of the 16 respondents suggested annual salaries between $12 million and $16.7 million per year from Grimes, with one projection coming in lower ($10 million) and two landing in the $18 million range.

However, according to Katz, one league executive does not feel Grimes offers much more than recent Milwaukee Bucks acquisition Gary Trent Jr., who signed a two-year, $7.5 million deal this offseason.

“The way the cap (environment) is now, why would you spend $20 million on Quentin Grimes when you can get (Bucks guard) Gary Trent (Jr.) for a minimum?” said one executive. “We shouldn’t just sign young players because they’re young. … You’ve got to believe Grimes is gonna develop into your starting backcourt with (Tyrese) Maxey.”

Grimes, 25, emerged as an electric scorer in the 28 games with Philadelphia, after the Sixers acquired him ahead of the February trading deadline. Grimes scored 21.9 points per game, adding 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

By comparison, Trent, 26, averaged 11.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists over the past season in Milwaukee. 

The Sixers held off on using the $5.7 million tax midlevel exception on Guerschon Yabusele in hopes of retaining Grimes while staying below the second apron. If Philadelphia used the exception, it would then hard cap itself at the second apron.

The team is $19.5 million below without Grimes.

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