Quentin Grimes Returns to 76ers on Bargain Deal, Dallas Trade Under Fresh Scrutiny

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday night that guard Quentin Grimes has agreed to return to the Philadelphia 76ers on a one-year, $8.7 million contract. The deal, which includes an inherent no-trade clause, positions Grimes to play for a bigger payday next offseason when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

The agreement comes after Grimes’ strong season in Philadelphia, where he quickly proved his value following his midseason trade from Dallas. The Mavericks had sent him, along with a second-round pick that became Johni Broome, to the Sixers in exchange for forward Caleb Martin. At the time, many observers questioned the logic behind the deal, and in hindsight, the decision looks even more costly for Dallas.

Grimes, now set to earn less than Martin next season, stands out as one of the league’s best-value players. Martin’s contract pays him $9.5 million in 2025-26, $10 million in 2026-27, and includes a $9.3 million player option for 2027-28. By comparison, Grimes’ $8.7 million deal not only undercuts Martin’s salary but also provides Philadelphia with significant upside if the guard maintains or improves his current level of play.

Dallas general manager Nico Harrison appeared to have misread the market. His gamble was that Grimes would command a contract in the $15 to $20 million range, making it harder for Dallas to justify matching. Instead, Grimes is returning on a deal far below those figures, exposing a miscalculation that left the Mavericks short on guard depth and flexibility.

Defending the move, one argument is that Martin’s contract gives Dallas a stable, tradeable asset over the next three years while avoiding the risk of losing Grimes for nothing. Yet the circumstances surrounding the deal paint a different picture. Martin was injured at the time of the trade and had struggled on the court. Meanwhile, Grimes has since blossomed into a valuable two-way contributor, a type of player Dallas could badly use.

The Mavericks are in win-now mode, with management repeatedly stressing the urgency to maximize the current roster’s potential. Losing Grimes on a misjudged contract projection has only amplified the frustration among fans and analysts who see it as another missed opportunity by Harrison’s front office.

For the Sixers, however, the deal is a coup. Grimes provides reliable production at a bargain rate, all while preserving financial flexibility. As he prepares for unrestricted free agency in 2026, both his play and his contract status will be watched closely—especially in Dallas, where the sting of this trade lingers.