Even if the Jazz can’t create enough cap space to offer Grimes a starting salary above $18.8 million, they could structure the contract in such a way to disincentivize the Sixers to match.

Mar 9, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) controls the ball against the Utah Jazz in the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center.

If the Jazz wanted to offer Grimes a four-year, $80 million contract, they would need about $18.6 million in cap space. At that point an offer with annual raises of five percent gets them there.

The Jazz still owe a first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder that's protected 1-8 next season. More than anything, the team's priority is to be bad enough in 2025-26 that they keep it.

The proverbial elephant in the room is the restricted free agency of shooting guard Quentin Grimes, which at this point has yielded almost no movement. To be clear, the Sixers as of Monday night ...