By Grant Afseth
Copyright newsweek
The Philadelphia 76ers opened training camp Saturday without restricted free agent Quentin Grimes, whose contract situation remains unresolved.
Grimes, 25, has yet to sign a deal while negotiations continue. He has until Oct. 1 to accept an $8.7 million qualifying offer, which would include a no-trade clause and allow him to enter unrestricted free agency in 2026. Reports indicate the Sixers prefer a one-year balloon agreement that would not include those protections.
CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 26: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers participates in media day at 76ers Training Complex on September 26, 2025 in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The expectation is that Grimes will return, but questions remain over when and under what terms. He emerged as a key contributor last season, averaging 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 28 games for Philadelphia.
For Joel Embiid, the standoff is nothing new after past holdouts from Ben Simmons and James Harden. The Sixers’ franchise cornerstone, who averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 19 games last season, said the approach remains the same.
“I’ll give you the same answer I gave the last few times it happened,” Embiid said.
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He made clear that players have to make decisions that are best for themselves.
“You wanna be here? You’re welcome to be here,” Embiid told reporters after Saturday’s practice. “You don’t wanna be here? You can’t force someone to be here, but 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 he does not fault Grimes or others in similar positions.
“Just like it happened the last couple times I’ve been here, it’s the same thing,” he said. “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. I don’t blame them.”
The Sixers star also stressed the importance of keeping the group focused on basketball.
“I think the focus should be on who’s here and what we’re doing as a team,” Embiid said.
He pointed back to last season as a reminder of what distractions can do.
“Especially, last year,” Embiid said. “The outside noise, I think we dealt with that a lot and I think it affected a lot of people in this building. Not just the players. Whether it’s the front office, the coaches, people acting different.”
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This time, Embiid said the Sixers need to prioritize their responsibilities at every level.
“This year, I think we should focus on we got a job to do,” he said. “As coaches, they’re supposed to prepare us. As players, we got a job to do and whatever it takes to win. Front office, make the team better. No matter what it takes. So, that should really be the focus.”
Philadelphia will continue camp without Grimes, but the organization expects him to join once a decision on his contract is made.
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