Quentin Grimes Stuns NBA With Half-Court Buzzer-Beater and Agent Switch to CAA—What’s Next for the 76ers?

Philadelphia guard Quentin Grimes is turning November into his personal showcase, and the NBA rumor mill is heating up just as quickly. The 25-year-old swingman erupted for 22 points, seven boards and a career-best 13 assists in Philadelphia’s win over Brooklyn, the third straight game in which he logged 30-plus minutes despite coming off the bench. The surge couldn’t be better timed. After a protracted summer standoff, Grimes accepted the 76ers’ $8.74 million qualifying offer, giving him veto power over any trade and a clear path to unrestricted free agency in July 2026. This week he also switched representation to powerhouse CAA Basketball, signaling an aggressive push for a long-term deal that could eclipse eight figures annually. For coach Nick Nurse, Grimes’ two-way punch—41 percent from three over his last five outings and relentless point-of-attack defense—has eased the scoring burden on Tyrese Maxey while keeping minutes down for a knee-sore Joel Embiid. League scouts note that his improved playmaking out of pick-and-roll sets makes him more than a 3-and-D specialist, a key consideration for contenders eyeing midseason upgrades. Former club New York remains a subplot. The Knicks still hold his Bird rights after last season’s deadline megadeal, and cap insiders believe a reunion could materialize if Philadelphia chooses to recoup assets rather than risk losing Grimes for nothing. Los Angeles, Dallas and Miami—each projecting sizable cap space—have also been linked to the sharpshooting guard in early front-office chatter. Drafted 25th overall in 2021, Grimes has climbed from situational minutes to core-rotation status in four seasons, posting career highs across the board. With the 76ers hovering over .500 and the East still wide open, his breakout could sway both the playoff race and next summer’s bidding war—keeping “Quentin Grimes contract” high on every search bar through the spring.