NBA free agency: How early moves impact the Sixers; Philly says goodbye to two players; latest updates, rumors

The first two hours of free agency have been quiet for the Sixers.

Yet other moves around the league could increase the possibility that Guerschon Yabusele and Quentin Grimes return to the team on which they were arguably the biggest bright spots during a disastrous season.

The San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers have both reportedly added big men in Luke Kornet and Brook Lopez, respectively.

That the Rockets landed Kevin Durant without trading Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, or Fred VanVleet was enough to consider this summer a successful one in Houston.

But they clearly aren't satisfied. While the start of free agency hasn't revealed much, it has illustrated just how scary the Rockets are going to be next season. They've added Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela to a roster that already had the aforementioned All-Stars, along with players like Steven Adams, Jabari Smith Jr., and Reed Shephard, the No. 3 pick who hasn't quite had a chance to show what he's capable of after playing behind VanVleet and Jalen Green.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets have rebounded nicely after falling short this postseason. They got rid of a problem player for them in Michael Porter Jr., and added Bruce Brown, who won a title there, and Cam Johnson.

With Jake LaRavia and Dorian Finney-Smith locked up, Guerschon Yabusele is now regarded as the NBA’s best available power forward in free agency.

Yabusele averaged career highs of 11 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 27.1 minutes and shot a career-best 38% on three-pointers this past season for the Sixers. The 6-foot-7, 280-pounder made 43 starts in 70 games.

LaRavia agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Meanwhile, Finney-Smith will get a four-year, $53 million deal ($13.25 million/year) to play for the Houston Rockets.

Former Sixer Nico Batum reportedly intends to sign a two-year, $11.5 million contract to return to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The forward will essentially receive a pay increase and an additional year after declining his player option for $4.9 million for next season to become a free agent.

Batum averaged 4.0, points and 2.8 rebounds in 17.8 minutes off the bench for the Clippers this past season. The 36-year-old also shot a career-best 43.3% on three-pointers in his 17th NBA season.

While the 76ers have largely decided which players they intend to keep in town prior to the opening of free agency, other teams are still gathering commitments.

The Phoenix Suns are one of those franchises, and they're bringing back a local for the 2025-26 season.

Collin Gillespie, a Philly native and Villanova alum, intends to sign a guaranteed one-year deal to remain in Phoenix. This will be his second season with the team after averaging 5.9 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

Quentin Grimes’ asking price of $25 million per season is a lot for a player with 127 just starts over four seasons.

But the 76ers, who want to keep the restricted free agent, are prepared to spend beyond the second luxury tax threshold ($207.8 million) to retain players even with the severe penalties they’ll incur.

They know the 6-foot-5 combo guard’s presence would give them optionality. As a starter, he would provide spacing for the Big Three of Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George. Grimes could also come off the bench to provide instant offense.

Interesting. Fun. Refreshing. Intriguing.

The Sixers?

Believe it. A team that has spent the last eight years chasing championships with a revolving door of veterans is suddenly alive with the intoxicating uncertainty of youth. The additions of VJ Edgecombe, Johni Broome, and Jared McCain to complement Tyrese Maxey have opened a brand-new frontier for Sixers fans who’d rather not spend their summer waiting for Joel Embiid injury updates.

NBA free agency begins at 6 p.m. Philly time Monday, with teams able to begin negotiating with the league's free agents.

While players and teams are able to come to agreements, they can't officially sign new deals until Sunday, July 6 at 12:01 p.m.

What about the luxury tax?

One big question for the Sixers as the NBA free agency deadline nears is whether they’re going to be able to keep Quentin Grimes and Guerschon Yabusele.

The Sixers feel so good about the prospects of retaining Grimes, who will be a restricted free agent, that Daryl Morey mentioned him after they selected VJ Edgecombe with the third pick in the draft.

Grimes, a 6-foot-5 combo guard, would give the Sixers optionality. He could come off the bench to provide instant offense and solid three-point shooting. He’s also capable of sliding into the starting lineup where he would provide spacing for Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George.

On the final day of the regular season, Kelly Oubre Jr. kept referring to the 76ers as “we” when speaking about next season.

Oubre was asked whether his hope was to remain in Philly next season. The 29-year-old noted that the NBA is a business but added, “I’m happy, and I feel like I like to finish what I start.”

He made things official on Sunday. The swingman exercised his option for $8.3 million for next season, hours before the 5 p.m. deadline to do so.

Eric Gordon declined his $3.4 million player option for next season. Gordon and the Sixers have mutual interest in a potential return, but the 36-year-old guard will test the NBA free-agent market first.

In addition to his shooting, the Sixers see Gordon was a good mentor for first-round pick VJ Edgecombe. Both are members of Bahama’s national team.

Gordon had season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right wrist on Feb. 26. He averaged just 6.8 points and 19.7 minutes in his 17th NBA season. However, Gordon’s three-point shooting percentage of 40.9% was the third-highest of his career.