Category: NBA

Cooper Flagg is already a household NBA name, thanks to his offensive highlight plays through high school, college and, recently, summer league. But through the first few days of Mavericks training camp, the No. 1 pick understands the defensive culture head coach Jason Kidd is conjuring. 

“Utilizing our size and using that to our advantage,” Flagg said Tuesday. “We have a lot of tall, lengthy, positionless players. Covering a lot of ground with our length will be an advantage for sure.”

Dallas has finished in the bottom half in defensive rating (according to Cleaning the Glass) in 13 out of the last 15 seasons, a disappointment considering some of the accomplished ball-stoppers who have come through the organization during that span. But with a healthy Anthony Davis, the arrival of veteran assistants Frank Vogel and Jay Triano — along with the addition of Flagg — the expectation for the Mavericks is to be a versatile, aggressive defense. 

Flagg, who stands 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingspan, joins the likes of Davis, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford in arguably the NBA’s most physically imposing frontcourt — on paper. It’s going to take much more than that for the Mavericks to turn their defensive fortunes around, but Flagg’s presence gives the organization a much-needed jolt in its retooling efforts. 

Kidd referenced the importance of creating “championship habits” and the value of communication, all of which starts on the defensive end. Flagg’s versatility lends itself to a Mavericks coaching staff that plans to use him in various ways, from chasing smaller guards around the perimeter to playing alongside Davis as a small-ball big.

[Get more Mavericks news: Dallas team feed]

During summer league, Flagg was particularly effective as a help defender from the weakside, using his lateral quickness to rotate and shrink the floor (he averaged 1.5 steals and 1 block), but training camp is much more advanced in terms of play calls and schemes. There will be a natural adjustment period for Flagg as he becomes more accustomed to his new teammates and coaches. He has spent the first few practices watching and learning tendencies and spacing, and studying defensive drills. 

“The communication and dedication to playing hard and doing it on both ends,” Flagg said. “Having five guys on the court communicating with each other and [buying] in to get stops on every possession.

“It’s different terminology, you just gotta get accustomed to it. Sometimes I mess up and say an old terminology I used at Duke. But if you say something, it’s better than saying nothing and just letting your teammate know where you are. Any communication is good.” 

Offensively, Flagg should serve well as a secondary playmaker alongside D’Angelo Russell. His Vegas stint was largely positive in that aspect, sharing playmaking duties with Ryan Nembhard and being tasked with creation — typically with pressure in front and around him. Kidd has been impressed with how Flagg has operated with and without the ball and praised his overall IQ and attitude toward the game. 

“His ability to dribble and pass is going to be one of his strengths because he does it at a high level,” Kidd said over the summer.

“Just trying to take it one step at a time and enjoy the process every step of the way,” Flagg said. “Don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I’m really excited.”

Zach LaVine perfectly roasts Malik Monk, Keegan Murray's Kings leadership styles originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

On the first day of NBA training camp Tuesday, Kings guard Zach LaVine couldn’t help but poke fun at two very different teammates — the always-outspoken Malik Monk and the usually quiet Keegan Murray — for the way they communicate on the court.

Asked who was the most vocal on Day 1, LaVine brushed off the idea that leadership could be pinned to just one player.

“I know you guys always want to pick out somebody, like who has the best voice and who’s the leader,” told reporters at Golden 1 Center. “You know, unless you have somebody that’s a big talker on the team, everyone has used their voice individually.”

LaVine explained that different players step up in different moments, whether it is veterans setting the tone or role players chiming in to keep the energy high.

“I speak up when I need to, obviously, and then DeMar [DeRozan] speaks to the group,” LaVine added. “You know, Doug [McDermott] talks, Dennis [Schröder] says some stuff, Malik [Monk] doesn’t stop talking.”

Monk, now in his fourth season with Sacramento since signing in 2022, is coming off a career-best campaign, averaging 17.2 points and 5.6 assists, and already has built a reputation as one of the most talkative personalities on the roster.

For LaVine, it was not surprising to hear from Monk, who never has been shy about making his presence felt. What was surprising? Hearing from soft-spoken Murray.

“Even Keegan said something today, so I think it was good,” LaVine joked.

Murray, the Kings’ No. 4 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has posted career averages of 13.3 points and 5.6 rebounds. But for LaVine, hearing him speak up carried just as much weight as his production on the floor.

If Day 1 of training camp was any indication, Sacramento’s leadership will not rest on just one voice — it will be shared across the roster.

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Zach LaVine perfectly roasts Malik Monk, Keegan Murray's Kings leadership styles originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

On the first day of NBA training camp Tuesday, Kings guard Zach LaVine couldn’t help but poke fun at two very different teammates — the always-outspoken Malik Monk and the usually quiet Keegan Murray — for the way they communicate on the court.

Asked who was the most vocal on Day 1, LaVine brushed off the idea that leadership could be pinned to just one player.

“I know you guys always want to pick out somebody, like who has the best voice and who’s the leader,” told reporters at Golden 1 Center. “You know, unless you have somebody that’s a big talker on the team, everyone has used their voice individually.”

LaVine explained that different players step up in different moments, whether it is veterans setting the tone or role players chiming in to keep the energy high.

“I speak up when I need to, obviously, and then DeMar [DeRozan] speaks to the group,” LaVine added. “You know, Doug [McDermott] talks, Dennis [Schröder] says some stuff, Malik [Monk] doesn’t stop talking.”

Monk, now in his fourth season with Sacramento since signing in 2022, is coming off a career-best campaign, averaging 17.2 points and 5.6 assists, and already has built a reputation as one of the most talkative personalities on the roster.

For LaVine, it was not surprising to hear from Monk, who never has been shy about making his presence felt. What was surprising? Hearing from soft-spoken Murray.

“Even Keegan said something today, so I think it was good,” LaVine joked.

Murray, the Kings’ No. 4 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has posted career averages of 13.3 points and 5.6 rebounds. But for LaVine, hearing him speak up carried just as much weight as his production on the floor.

If Day 1 of training camp was any indication, Sacramento’s leadership will not rest on just one voice — it will be shared across the roster.

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De'Anthony Melton's Warriors return is reunion both sides wanted all along originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – De’Anthony Melton only played six games for the Warriors last season, yet that extremely small sample size justified why the front office and coaching staff saw him as such a perfect fit. 

The Warriors went 4-2 in those games, winning the two Melton started, which were against the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the previous season’s reigning Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks. But Melton’s campaign was over by the middle of November after a knee injury sustained in that win over the Mavs was later revealed as a torn ACL that required season-ending surgery. 

Losing Melton was disappointing for a number of reasons. Finding ways to ensure his Warriors career hadn’t come to a complete end quickly became a focus for the front office. 

“I’d say we kind of put a pin in it, took note, and said if we have an opportunity to bring him back at some point, let’s try and do that,” Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said Wednesday. “Fortunately enough, we were able to do it. Made a long summer of it, but got him signed and ready to go. He’ll finish up his rehab stuff and be with us soon.” 

Melton’s return to the Warriors became official Wednesday, but he hasn’t been medically cleared from his knee surgery. The veteran guard is doing individual work while the rest of the Warriors go through training camp practice. Melton will be re-evaluated in four weeks, ruling him out for their regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Adding salt to wound last season, the Warriors traded him to the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 15. The move essentially was to use his contract so they could acquire Dennis Schröder as the Warriors had gone from starting the season 12-3 to losing seven of their next 11. 

“Business is business,” Melton said Wednesday. “I mean, I probably would have traded myself too, especially given the way the season was at the time. They needed someone, especially with my contract, that could come in and play and help the team. So I felt no type of way.” 

Melton understood the situation and wasn’t left in the dark. Dunleavy and coach Steve Kerr had conversations with him to let Melton know his contract could be moved to help the team, making their message clear of their hopes for his future in a Warriors jersey. 

The Southern California native is well versed with everything off the court in the NBA. Melton was selected in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets and spent all of summer league with them. He then was traded to the Phoenix Suns later in the summer before his rookie year began, only to be traded one year later to the Memphis Grizzlies, where Melton played the next three years. Melton spent two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers but seemed to have found a home in the Bay as a Warrior. 

From the offseason program, to training camp in Hawaii, preseason and the few weeks he played for the Warriors, everything felt right. Even after his injury and trade, Melton never forgot what it was like to be a Warrior. 

“Ultimately, it’s so much love here,” Melton said. “The medical staff, they do such a great job with my body and just keeping me right. I think those reasons and then just the coaching staff and the team and the short-lived time we had together, it was amazing.” 

Melton’s contract last season played a larger role than anyone could have ever imagined. The domino effect of adding Schröder with it helped lead to the Warriors trading for star forward Jimmy Butler. 

“We got a Butler out of it, too,” Melton joked. 

Familiarity is in the building for Melton, making his integration back into the locker room that much easier, as well as his transition to the court once the training staff allows him to. He knows the offensive and defensive system and will be right there to absorb and learn any new wrinkles. 

Around the locker room, the only face that’s missing – aside from the players sent out in the Butler trade – is Kevon Looney. Like the rest of the league witnessed as he went through his rehab, Melton saw just how strong a healthy Warriors team can be with Butler now in the mix. 

“You just saw the spark come back,” Melton said. “You saw guys were up, guys were ready and you could just see how quickly he got acclimated with the team. As soon as he got there they went on a run and started beating quality teams without any practice. I think seeing stuff like that, it just motivated me that this could definitely be something special. … Health is the biggest thing for us, you know. 

“Staying healthy, I think we’re a dangerous team. For sure.” 

Melton is back to where he always wanted to be. He’s champing at the bit to be part of the equation again, but the trust he developed from all parts of the Warriors’ brass from top to bottom has him believing patience will pay off and he’ll be swimming in the fruits of his labor when it’s all said and done.

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Weighing pros, cons of Warriors' veteran roster additions for 2025-26 NBA season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors strolled into summer with a plan that required flexibility. They would find a way to resolve the Jonathan Kuminga matter and then fill their roster around the nine players already under contract.

They recognized their needs, identified players to fill them, entered negotiations with those players and . . . waited.

And waited.

And waited.

The wait ended Tuesday, the eighth day of autumn and one day into NBA training camp. Incumbents Gary Payton II and Kuminga are back. The new last-minute roster additions are as expected: Seth Curry, Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton.

Golden State’s front office it believes it has a squad capable of contending in the unyielding Western Conference. Moreover, one that can ride its talent and big-game experience to a deep NBA playoff run. Decorated veterans Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green were and are on board with the plan.

We know what Payton brings. We know what Kuminga can bring, and what he wants to bring. But it’s the three new acquisitions that, aside from the vagaries of health, could determine the success of the team. All three should be beneficial, though they come with pros and cons.

Seth Curry

PROS: The Warriors need perimeter shooters off the bench. Curry, along with Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski, can terrorize second units. Curry led the NBA in 3-point shooting accuracy at 45.6 percent. His career percentage from deep, 43.3, is second among active players (his more celebrated brother is third).

Curry is a 11-year NBA veteran who has appeared in 41 playoff games, with his 46.8-percent shooting from deep testimony to his efficiency on the big stage. This addition allows coach Steve Kerr to concoct lineups that provide the spacing of his dreams.

CONS: Seth’s defense always has been his most visible liability. He’ll give back some of his buckets on the other end.

VERDICT: Smart move for quality depth. Considering the immense value of deep shooters in today’s NBA – with defending champion Oklahoma City leading the way – Golden State is fortunate that an affordable, low-maintenance individual was available. It doesn’t hurt that he’s the baby brother of the team’s superstar.

Al Horford

PROS:Horford is a high-character professional who should fit nicely with Curry-Butler-Green leadership council.  Moreover, Horford’s floor spacing offsets the lack of spacing afforded by forwards Butler and Green. Horford is a career 37.7-percent shooter from deep but dipped to 36.3 percent last season. Sharing the floor with a Curry should put him closer to the 44.6 and 41.9 percent he shot in the previous two seasons in Boston. How deep is Horford’s playoff resumé? He has played more postseason minutes than anyone on Golden State’s roster.

Kerr has been seeking a floor-spacing big man ever since Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica left the roster three years ago. It’s why general manager Mike Dunleavy signed Dario Šarić in 2023 and drafted Quinten Post in 2024. Horford, 39 years old and still playing solid defense, is a significant upgrade.

CONS: The Warriors have a platoon of “uncles,” and he’s the oldest. Even if uninjured, it’s reasonable to assume he will miss 12-15 games. He’s one of several pet projects for Dr. Rick Celebrini.

VERDICT: Wise move. It’s a risk, but it’s calculated – and very much worth taking for one season at $5.7 million, considering he’s slotted to play 24-28 minutes per night.

De’Anthony Melton

PROS: Melton was a splendid fit last season, earning the starting backcourt spot alongside Stephen Curry ever so briefly before sustaining a season-ending injury to his left ACL last November. If healthy, he likely would have remained the starter.

Melton has been working out, and if he’s healthy – his rehab could carry into the season – his shooting and defensive ability should give him an edge to reclaim that role.

CONS: Melton is coming off surgery to repair that torn ACL and, more concerning, has a history of assorted injuries, the most serious being problems with his back. He’s another project for Celebrini, who has a good track record (see Porter Jr.) managing physiques requiring frequent maintenance.

VERDICT: Very good move, considering the team’s knowledge of Melton’s history and how well he fits the culture. It has potential to be a great move if his defense remains solid and he’s able to play 65-70 games.

In summary, the Warriors’ long-delayed roster remake provides more flexibility and weapons than the one that opened the 2024-25 season. They’re better than they were last October, but whether they are significantly better will be determined mostly by health.

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Knicks fans get the privilege of seeing their team before 28 other fanbases to kick off this 2025-26 season, as New York prepares to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday in the NBA’s Abu Dhabi Games. Though the core of the roster remains intact from last year’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals, a new head coach and roster spot battle make these exhibitions more intriguing than usual.

Here are the five biggest things to watch this preseason for the Knicks...

How the starting five evolves

After the Knicks’ defeat at the hands of the Pacers, a lot of attention turned to their starting lineup of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns. Whether by choice (playing more Miles McBride for Hart) or by force (Mitchell Robinson’s injury) then-head coach Tom Thibodeau heavily relied on that five despite declining returns, until he was forced to switch with his back against the wall.

Many expect the Knicks to go with the adjusted five of Robinson in for Hart, or perhaps McBride, under the new leadership of Mike Brown. These games should give us some clarity on what to expect, or serve as a stage for some experimentation.

Ultimately, New York will need to be comfortable with a combination of looks in a matchup-dependent league with a couple of injury-prone options for that fifth spot. Expect a fluid process, perhaps newcomerGeurschon Yabusele gets a chance, but no final decisions anytime soon.

The new-look offense

One of the biggest changes expected from Coach Brown this season is the injection of a quicker, facile offense. He’s preaching an increased tempo, output from three, and means to get paint touches, a large part of the promise in hiring him to replace a Conference Finals-reaching coach. 

How this actually conveys on the floor is still a mystery. Brown stated Brunson will get the ball in his hands to close games; how bought in will he be to the new system in the prior 43 minutes? 

As part of his wish for 40+ threes a night, Brown wants Brunson taking more on catch-and-shoots. If that happens, who is going to be generating that shot for him, and how? There are real roster limitations to consider — Towns as a playmaker has been a mixed experiment — should we expect much more ball handling out of Bridges? 

It should be fun watching this play out in a low-stakes environment. It will obviously take a good bit into the regular season for this team to really click, but the seeds will be planted in the coming days and weeks, and we can get a glimpse of what’s to come. 

Different team emphases

Under Thibodeau, no matter the matchup or roster change, the Knicks would inevitably fall neatly back into their Thibs-ball identity: slow the pace, pound the glass, play smashmouth defense. While some of these qualities won't be going anywhere, this will be the first time in years fans see the Knicks emphasize new things on the court and maybe culture a new identity.

It will be interesting to see what that is. Brown has been less revealing on the defensive specifics, but expect the Knicks to still favor offensive rebounding with Robinson healthy and the many bigs around him.

Previously, New York exclusively played drop coverage in pick-and-roll and emphasized protecting the rim above all, sometimes sacrificing too many open threes to the opposition. What will Brown’s fundamentals be, and how will he get Towns to buy into the scheme?

Battle for the final training camp spot

As of right now, the Knicks currently have two veteran options for one open minimum slot this season — Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet. They can also trade one of their young pieces to make room for both vet guards.

Shamet spent most of last year rehabbing a preseason injury with the Knicks before rejoining the team for some solid spot minutes down the stretch and in the playoffs. Brogdon is two years removed from winning Sixth Man of the Year, but has battled injuries throughout his career while bouncing between lottery teams since that award.

Potentially dealing one of Tyler Kolek or Pacome Dadiet, two of few remaining team prospects, just to make room for a 10th or 11th man is an aggressive move, but also the type a championship-contending team sometimes needs to make. Neither played a material amount of NBA minutes their rookie year, so this preseason on may be serving partially as their tryout.

While preseason may be low-stakes for the fans and starters, it could be deciding some players’ livelihoods. Let’s see what the Knicks end up doing for their final roster spot, and if its ultimate recipient can be an impact guy in the playoffs.

How the young core looks

Beyond making the roster, it’s imperative the Knicks see some dividends from their current crop of young talent. Their last batch of knockout draft picks have been largely dealt, along with most of their upcoming picks, and the current roster is as capped out as can be.

While they will have some future flexibility, ensuring their only prospects for the foreseeable future develop positively is key to current and later success. Injuries and randomness happen, and the Knicks will find themselves depleted at some point this postseason, badly needing somebody to step up.

It could be Brogdon or Shamet, or the hero could be a homegrown project. Even if they aren’t ready this year, the young players blossoming into real talent on team-friendly contracts will help the Knicks remain competitive beyond the peak of this core.

Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy details team's plan for Seth Curry's contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors are a family affair.

From the front office to the coaching staff and — with the Warriors’ signing of Seth Curry — even on the court.

Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy made it known just exactly why they signed the younger Curry.

“I think any time you can add shooting in this league in this day and age, a guy who’s, what, top two, second-best 3-point shooter of all time by percentage — a couple other guys in this building today, they’re top three,” Dunleavy said Wednesday. “So, all about adding shooting. We’re looking forward to having him.”

Curry, who isn’t yet with the team, is a career 43.3-percent shooter from long range — seventh best in NBA history and six spots ahead of his brother Steph, who sits 13th at 42.3 percent.

While it took time to put pen to paper due to the Jonathan Kuminga situation, Dunleavy says the Warriors are expecting Curry to be at practice on Thursday.

Of course, that’s not the end of it, as Dunleavy stated the team still has to figure out some numbers to make it all make sense.

“As far as the season goes, yeah, he’s on a one-year deal, and we’ll figure it out as we go,” Dunleavy said. “There’s some cap and apron stuff that we’ve got to deal with, but that’s something for our strategy team to figure out.”

For now, the Warriors boast a pair of literal Splash Bros. And in a league where shooting the ball is all-important, it seems like it will be a solid fit.

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Al Horford reveals why Warriors were only NBA team he would leave Celtics for originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Headlines the past few years in Boston belonged to Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. On the court and behind the scenes, Al Horford became a Bean Town legend in his own ways as an integral piece of a historic franchise that won an NBA championship with him two seasons ago and competed for a title in each of the seven years he spent with them.

Horford and his wife, Amelia, needed a number of walks together over the offseason to contemplate their future. They had dug roots into Boston, becoming a major part of the community outside of establishing a basketball legacy. 

Horford was born in the Dominican Republic. He went to high school in Michigan and played collegiately for the University of Florida before being in Atlanta the first nine years of his NBA career. There had been stops in Philadelphia and Oklahoma City, but Boston looked like his final destination. 

Instead, the Warriors signed the five-time NBA All-Star center on Wednesday after months of a handshake deal that was waiting to become official. 

“It was very difficult,” Horford said Wednesday at his Chase Center introductory press conference. “Boston became a second home for me. Just being that community and a part of that city was something very special for me and my family, so it wasn’t an easy decision for me.” 

There were rumors and speculation that the only obstacle getting in the way of Horford becoming a Warrior was the 39-year-old contemplating retirement. Horford immediately squelched any of those thoughts, saying he never entertained that idea. 

But there only was one team that Horford ever considered leaving the Celtics for: The Warriors. 

“It’s a great opportunity to compete and win at a high level,” Horford said. “When I think about the Warriors I think about Steph [Curry] and Draymond [Green] and Steve Kerr. Seeing Jimmy Butler here, what he did in that second half of the season last year after the trade and how they were playing. 

“For me, if there was one place I was going to leave, it was for this.” 

Over the course of Horford’s 18-year NBA career, almost all of his time has been in the Eastern Conference. The only experience he waded into the waters of the West were the 28 games he played for the Thunder in the 2020-21 season. Horford admitted he didn’t have prior relationships with players on the Warriors, including Curry and Green. 

His battles against the Heat when Butler was starring in Miami have been well documented. Horford also has been a problem for the Warriors in the handful of games he has gone against them. 

Horford averaged 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game against the Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals, shooting 60.5 percent from the field (26 of 43) and 62.5 percent on 3-pointers (15 of 24). He also has averaged 14.9 points and 9.4 rebounds per game in 25 regular-season games against the Warriors for his career, both being career highs for him against one team. 

The veteran big man continues to be a versatile defender at the final stages of his career, as well as a near-perfect fit in Steve Kerr’s offense stretching the floor and distributing the ball out of the block. 

“It’s huge to have a space-5,” Kerr said of Horford’s addition. “But it’s not just any space-5 – it’s Al Horford. He rebounds, defends, he’s smart, good passer. Just watching him today, you can see the fit.

“He can play with Draymond and space the floor as a 5. You can play him with Trayce [Jackson-Davis]. Trayce can be the dive man. You can play two bigs with him. He can also play the 5 himself. We can have a 5-out lineup. Al’s versatility, and just the fact that he fits in any lineup, just makes him hugely invaluable.” 

He’s also now the oldest Warriors player that also features a 37-year-old Curry, 36-year-old Butler and 35-year-old Green. No team in NBA history has ever used four players 35 and up in their opening night starting lineup. Horford understands the doubters based on the Warriors’ historic ages, and he still has the utmost confidence this was the right team to help him compete for another ring. 

“It’s fair,” Horford admitted. “It is true, but we have a very solid team. It’s not only the four of us. We have a lot of depth in this group, and a lot of the young guys I feel are going to play a big role in it. For us, it’s staying the course. Obviously health plays a big part in it. The focus is on the season and getting better. 

“I’m excited. I know those guys take care of themselves. They’re going to do everything they need to be on the floor, and we have a lot of experience.”

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Report: Grimes accepting Sixers' qualifying offer, ending his restricted free agency  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

On the final day he could accept it, Quentin Grimes has reportedly decided to sign the Sixers’ qualifying offer and end his restricted free agency.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday afternoon that Grimes will return to the team for one season at the $8.7 million qualifying offer salary and with an inherent no-trade clause. Discussions between Grimes’ camp and the Sixers continued through training camp, but the two sides couldn’t find common ground on either a one-year “balloon” deal or a longer-term contract.

The Sixers’ qualifying offer would have expired Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET.

After acquiring the 25-year-old guard at last season’s trade deadline, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey was open about his plan to re-sign Grimes.

“We’re excited to bring him back,” Morey said at media day last week. “Quentin’s a big part of what we’re trying to do now and into the future, if we can get things resolved.”

With the Sixers dismally shorthanded and on their way to a 24-58 record, Grimes thrived in a high-usage, do-it-all role. When he joined the Sixers, Grimes believed he could do much more than a 3-and-D job. 

“I feel like this whole year in Dallas, I showed I’m capable of playing on the ball, off the ball, making a lot of plays with my teammates out,” he said on Feb. 7. “Luka (Doncic) out or Kyrie (Irving) out, I can step in and fill that role.

“I feel like I can do that here, just playing with the ball in my hands — making plays for Joel (Embiid) and (Paul George), getting guys involved, or getting myself involved off the dribble.” 

Over 28 games last year with the Sixers, Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He shot 46.9 percent from the floor, 37.3 percent from three-point range and 75.2 percent at the foul line. Highlights included a 44-point performance in a win over the Warriors and a career-high 46-point night in the Sixers’ double-overtime loss to the Rockets. 

The Sixers will hope Grimes is able to build chemistry this year with fellow guards Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe, although McCain is out after undergoing surgery to repair a UCL tear in his right thumb.

Grimes did not fly with the Sixers for their preseason trip to Abu Dhabi for games vs. the Knicks on Thursday and Saturday. The team’s regular-season opener is Oct. 22 against the Celtics.

This story will be updated.

Report: Grimes accepting Sixers' qualifying offer, ending his restricted free agency  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

On the final day he could accept it, Quentin Grimes has reportedly decided to sign the Sixers’ qualifying offer and end his restricted free agency.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday afternoon that Grimes will return to the team for one season at the $8.7 million qualifying offer salary and with an inherent no-trade clause. Discussions between Grimes’ camp and the Sixers continued through training camp, but the two sides couldn’t find common ground on either a one-year “balloon” deal or a longer-term contract.

The Sixers’ qualifying offer would have expired Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET. Grimes will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

After acquiring the 25-year-old guard at last season’s trade deadline, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey was open about his plan to re-sign Grimes.

“We’re excited to bring him back,” Morey said at media day last week. “Quentin’s a big part of what we’re trying to do now and into the future, if we can get things resolved.”

With the Sixers dismally shorthanded and on their way to a 24-58 record, Grimes thrived in a high-usage, do-it-all role during the second half of the 2024-25 season. When he joined the Sixers, Grimes believed he could do much more than a 3-and-D job. 

“I feel like this whole year in Dallas, I showed I’m capable of playing on the ball, off the ball, making a lot of plays with my teammates out,” he said on Feb. 7. “Luka (Doncic) out or Kyrie (Irving) out, I can step in and fill that role.

“I feel like I can do that here, just playing with the ball in my hands — making plays for Joel (Embiid) and (Paul George), getting guys involved, or getting myself involved off the dribble.” 

Over 28 games last year with the Sixers, Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He shot 46.9 percent from the floor, 37.3 percent from three-point range and 75.2 percent at the foul line. Highlights included a 44-point performance in a win over the Warriors and a career-high 46-point night in the Sixers’ double-overtime loss to the Rockets. 

The Sixers will presumably hope Grimes is able to build chemistry this year with fellow guards Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe, although McCain is out after undergoing surgery to repair a UCL tear in his right thumb.

Grimes did not fly with the Sixers for their preseason trip to Abu Dhabi for games vs. the Knicks on Thursday and Saturday. The team’s regular-season opener is Oct. 22 against the Celtics.

Signing Grimes will put the Sixers at 14 players on standard contracts, which is one under the maximum. They’ve used their three two way-contract slots on Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker and Hunter Sallis.

Grimes accepts Sixers' qualifying offer, ending his restricted free agency  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

On the final day he could accept it, Quentin Grimes decided to sign the Sixers’ qualifying offer and end his restricted free agency.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday afternoon that Grimes will return to the team for one season at the $8.7 million qualifying offer salary and with an inherent no-trade clause. The Sixers announced that they re-signed Grimes hours later.

Discussions between Grimes’ camp and the Sixers continued through training camp, but the two sides couldn’t find common ground on either a one-year “balloon” deal or a longer-term contract.

The Sixers’ qualifying offer would have expired Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET. Grimes will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

After acquiring the 25-year-old guard at last season’s trade deadline, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey was open about his plan to re-sign Grimes.

“We’re excited to bring him back,” Morey said at media day last week. “Quentin’s a big part of what we’re trying to do now and into the future, if we can get things resolved.”

With the Sixers dismally shorthanded and on their way to a 24-58 record, Grimes thrived in a high-usage, do-it-all role during the second half of the 2024-25 season. When he joined the Sixers, Grimes believed he could do much more than a 3-and-D job. 

“I feel like this whole year in Dallas, I showed I’m capable of playing on the ball, off the ball, making a lot of plays with my teammates out,” he said on Feb. 7. “Luka (Doncic) out or Kyrie (Irving) out, I can step in and fill that role.

“I feel like I can do that here, just playing with the ball in my hands — making plays for Joel (Embiid) and (Paul George), getting guys involved, or getting myself involved off the dribble.” 

Over 28 games last year with the Sixers, Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He shot 46.9 percent from the floor, 37.3 percent from three-point range and 75.2 percent at the foul line. Highlights included a 44-point performance in a win over the Warriors and a career-high 46-point night in the Sixers’ double-overtime loss to the Rockets. 

The Sixers will presumably hope Grimes is able to build chemistry this year with fellow guards Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe, although McCain is out after undergoing surgery to repair a UCL tear in his right thumb.

Grimes did not fly with the Sixers for their preseason trip to Abu Dhabi for games vs. the Knicks on Thursday and Saturday. The team’s regular-season opener is Oct. 22 against the Celtics.

Signing Grimes puts the Sixers at 14 players on standard contracts, which is one under the maximum. They’ve used their three two-way contract slots on Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker and Hunter Sallis.