Daryl Morey addresses Quentin Grimes’s limited free agency, the health prospects of Joel Embiid and more

Las Vegas – Quentin Grimes and the 76ers remain in a free dead end of the free agency. And, from Friday morning, Daryl Morey did not have an overview of a potential calendar for resolution.

“We have had discussions – and discussions recently – with [Grimes’] Representation, “said Sixers basketball operations president on Friday morning.” I don’t have much more details. … We want to keep Quentin. We hope to solve this problem with its representation and our goal [is] By ensuring that this happens.

These comments were part of the large -scale conversation of Morey with a small group of journalists at Sixers’ Team Hotel for their stay at the NBA2K Summer League. The other subjects included the choice of draft n ° 3 VJ Edgecombe, who dazzled during his summer debut almost a week ago, but has not played for a thumb injury. And Joel Embiid and Paul George’s health perspectives for the 2025-26 season, which Morey described as “optimistic”. And the loss of the great man of the free agent Guerschon Yabusele, who more partially attributed to the situation of Grimes.

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“We offered [Yabusele] The maximum that we could that would not limit us and our ability to keep Quentin, “said Morey.” It was above the minimum. I saw reports saying that this was not the case, but it was definitely below what it ended up getting [from the New York Knicks].

“I think people said, like, who created a challenge for us, and that’s right. … It had an impact on what we could offer to Guerschon.”

Yabusele, which signed an agreement of $ 12 million over two years with a player option with the Knicks, was one of the rare positive points during a terrible season of 2024-25. Ditto for Grimes, who collected an average of 21.9 points in 28 games since he was exchanged at the Sixers on the deadline of February. And Grimes and the Sixers are not the only combination of players / team in a free agency detention model. Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors, as well as Josh Giddey and the Chicago Bulls, are among those of a similar situation, reflecting the wider market after the initial dust of the offseason.

Here are four other points to remember from the availability of Morey:

Welcome, VJ

Morey subscribes to the conviction that it is difficult for a recruit to contribute to a high caliber NBA team. Even a player like EdgeCombe, who looked explosive and smooth while raising 28 points and 10 rebounds against Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City last weekend.

“The expectations are very high on VJ, as they should be,” said Morey. “We are very excited for him … [I’m] Try to temper them with VJ a little and give it a little space to may have bumps on the road this year. »»

Morey had the hope but uncertain if EdgeCombe will return from an injury before the end of the Sixers stay in Las Vegas. He was noticed to do additional shooting work with assistant coach Rico Hines after Friday training in Las Vegas. The Sixers will play the next Saturday against the Charlotte Hornets, before the matches on Tuesday and Wednesday against Washington and Dallas Mavericks Wizards, respectively.

“VJ is most bored by it,” said Morey. “He really wants to be there, and our medical staff try to be intelligent on this subject.”

However, EdgeCombe joining this list – and the immediate flash of the potential – aroused questions about how the Sixers could distribute the minutes between their four young guards, assuming that Grimes returns alongside Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain.

“Coach [Nick] The nurse will have to use creativity to understand how to use them as best as possible, ”said Morey.

Embiid’s prospects

Asked about the preparation of Embiid for the start of the 2025-26 season, Morey said: “It would be my best anticipation at this stage, yes.”

It was an interesting question, considering that Embiid unexpectedly missed the start of last season – then played only 19 games – due to an in progress knee problem. The executive also reiterated that, in order to be a real competitor, Embiid, Maxey and George must be on the ground much more than they were last season.

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“I don’t think we can do it without it,” said Morey. “I would like to say that, but I don’t see it. So, yes, I think we are very dependent on all these guys, including Joel. ”

Morey added that McCain – which was a first recruit of the year before tearing his meniscus in December – is also “on the track” to be ready for the start of the training camp. He recently met the doctor who carried out the surgery, said Morey, and was with the Sixers in Las Vegas.

Around the margins

Although the resolution of the situation of Grimes remains the priority of the persistent off -season of the Sixers, they recently executed movements around the margins to add the depth of the front area. They wrote Johni Broome in the second round, signed Trendon Watford and added Jabari Walker and Dominick Barlow to the double -direction chords.

“Being there [to] Jabari and Dominick, and say “hey, we really think you will have a role, even if it’s a double”, “said Morey,” I think it’s an advantage, and we have been delighted that they have chosen to join us. »»

Morey also considers Watford as a player who can keep several positions, manipulate passes and “put defense in danger and play a game” as initiator of the offensive.

Two players who do not exactly correspond to the global objective to become younger and more athletic? Kyle Lowry and Eric Gordon both returned to minimum veteran contracts.

“We see [Lowry] As a mentor and important coach on the ground, “said Morey.” And I haven’t struck down that he can give us quality minutes during the season. … We also have a lot of young people through the list, and having a champion like Kyle, I think, is a positive thing. »»

East wide open?

Morey declaring that the Sixers still have championship aspirations might seem eccentric to foreigners after their terrible 2024-25 season. He may not have much choice but to be optimistic about the future health of Embiid and George, since they are both locked up in maximum contracts.

“Find out more: While the NBA buzzes on VJ Edgecombe, the scouts weigh on its potential: “It will be good. He’s going hard.

However, Morey agrees that the East conference is “open”, after the players of the NBA Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton torn the tendons of Achilles during the playoffs. Morey, however, wanted to make respect for the Cleveland riders, who finished at the top of the regular season season ranking, and Knicks, who qualified for the final of the conference for the first time in 25 years.

“”We are going to have to prove that we are in a way with these higher echelon teams, “said Morey.” But we have the impression that, if all things come together, we can be there. And we also gave ourselves a lot of flexibility to upgrade the team during the year, if things are going as well as we hope. »»