NBA Notes: Sixers, Quentin Grimes, Timberwolves, Rob Dillingham, Pelicans

76ers

ESPN’s Tim Bontemps notes that while Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency dominated headlines last summer, Quentin Grimes’ contract decision barely registered.

Philadelphia kept quiet, staying below the first apron by having Grimes sign the $8.7 million qualifying offer. It also kept the Sixers just a few million shy of the luxury tax.

Grimes has rewarded them. After arriving in February as part of the other deal engineered by former Mavericks GM Nico Harrison, Grimes has picked up where he left off.

He is averaging 17.1 points and shooting 40.9 percent from three. League sources tell Bontemps he’s in line for a strong payday next summer as an unrestricted free agent, especially after switching representation and signing with CAA earlier this month.

Timberwolves

Minnesota moved aggressively in the 2024 draft to jump to No. 8 and select Rob Dillingham, hoping he would eventually replace Mike Conley. The early returns have been rough.

Conley has shifted to the bench, but the Wolves gave the starting point guard spot to Donte DiVincenzo instead, and Dillingham’s minutes have been bumpy.

The second-year guard is shooting 39 percent overall and 23 percent from three. The Wolves are being outscored by 14 points per 100 possessions in his minutes and are plus-10 when he sits, a massive swing that evaluators flagged to Bontemps.

“I’m not sure that’s ever going to work,” an East scout told Bontemps. “Maybe things come around, but it’s hard to see it.”

Pelicans

As New Orleans stumbled to a 2-13 start and fired Willie Green, front offices around the league continue to question the Pelicans’ draft decisions.

Bontemps reports that executives remain stunned that the Pelicans not only traded their unprotected 2026 first-round pick to Atlanta but also returned Indiana’s future pick just before Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the Finals.

In a different timeline, the Pelicans would have two lottery picks in a loaded draft. Instead, the losses offer no draft benefit.

The one bright spot, according to Bontemps, is the early play of lottery rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. Both have performed well enough to start, but the long-term math still stings.