Sixers, Grimes near deadline as talks on long-term deal stall

The Philadelphia 76ers and restricted free agent guard Quentin Grimes held negotiations Wednesday as the October 1 deadline to accept a qualifying offer nears, but the two sides remain far apart on money and contract structure, league and team sources said. Grimes attended talks with his representatives as Philadelphia pressed for cap-conscious options while his camp sought a deal that better reflects the guard's late-season production.

Grimes currently has a one-year qualifying offer worth about $8.7 million available, and the team has also presented a one-year "balloon" style option designed to remove an implied no-trade protection in exchange for slightly more money, sources said. The Sixers have expressed a preference to reach a long-term agreement and reportedly floated a four-year proposal valued at roughly $39 million. Agent David Bauman described that four-year concept as a formal pitch, saying Grimes believes he merits a contract in the $20 million to $25 million per year range. A team source characterized the four-year discussion as tentative rather than a firm offer and said the sides remain separated on valuation.

Grimes did not attend the team's media day on Friday...