Who headlines the Sixers’ free agency class? Breaking down the summer ahead for Quentin Grimes, Kelly Oubre Jr., and more

The 76ers have begun their search for a new day-to-day executive to lead basketball operations. But the calendar continues to move closer to the offseason’s two significant checkpoints.

The first order of business is the June 23-24 draft, where the Sixers hold the 22nd overall pick that was acquired in the Jared McCain trade. That quickly rolls into free agency, which begins the evening of June 30.

Whether those are executed by the new hire or Bob Myers, the president of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, and the existing front office, the Sixers are in a challenging spot.

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Three players — Joel Embid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey — are on max contracts. Though Maxey is a franchise cornerstone and All-NBA contender, the first two deals are deemed as difficult to trade because of Embiid and George’s age and health concerns. That does not provide a ton of wiggle room to attempt to add to and upgrade the roster of a team that pulled off a first-round upset of the Boston Celtics and then got swept by the New York Knicks in the conference semifinals.

Here is a breakdown of the Sixers’ unrestricted free agents, along with the players who have team options or partially nonguaranteed deals.

Grimes primarily was the Sixers’ sixth man during a season he described multiple times as “solid.”

The 26-year-old was part of a terrific three-guard lineup, and reignited his aggressive scoring ability when Maxey missed three weeks in March with a finger injury. But Grimes shot a career-low 33.4% from three-point range, while also averaging 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 29.4 minutes over 75 games. And other than an excellent Game 5 performance on both ends in Boston, he was not good enough during the playoffs for a Sixers second unit that desperately needed scoring production. His numbers dropped to 6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 24.3 minutes in 11 games.

When asked shortly after the Sixers’ season-ending Game 4 loss to the Knicks about how he viewed his free agency and ideal basketball setup, Grimes was not exactly forthcoming.

“I haven’t even really thought about that, honestly,” Grimes said. “… talking to my agents and everything, we’ll kind of figure out what’s the best situation moving forward.”

It’s also worth wondering how last offseason — when Grimes went through a messy restricted free agency before signing his one-year qualifying offer in October — will affect how he approaches this summer and his desire to return to the Sixers. The prominent figures on both sides of that negotiation are now gone, as Grimes parted ways with agent David Bauman and is now represented by Creative Arts Agency.

If Grimes leaves less than five months after the McCain trade, though, the Sixers could go from a surplus of young guards to a dearth in less than a calendar year.

Oubre rebuilt his career in three seasons with the Sixers, as a starter who impacted both ends of the floor while averaging 14.1 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 50 games in 2025-26. The 6-foot-8 wing used his athleticism in a more controlled way on offense, shot a career-best 36% from three-point range, and had the willingness to take on challenging perimeter defensive assignments.

Oubre’s salary was $8.3 million this season, the player option on a two-year midlevel exception deal signed in 2024. And the 30-year-old already has experienced the harsh realities of free agency. He reminded during his end-of-season news conference that, after averaging 20.3 points per game with the Charlotte Hornets in 2022-23, he “still found myself barely getting any contracts” until the Sixers signed him to a veteran’s minimum deal in September.

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So it will be interesting to see what he could command on this summer’s open market. Though Oubre said “I love it here” in Philly, his length and positional archetype are typically valued league-wide. Oubre also said he hopes he “did myself a good service” by putting effort into a more efficient playing style.

“I learned so much,” Oubre said of his time with the Sixers. “The game of basketball has reinvented itself to me through different lenses and different eyes throughout my tenure here, and I’m forever appreciative for the opportunity to play for this city.

“Obviously I don’t like how [the season] ended. I always say I like to finish what I start, and this is a bit sour for me. But at the end of the day, [my future is] already written.”

Drummond professionally handled a fluctuating role in 2025-26. For the bulk of the season, he was the starting center in the games Embiid did not play — and was out of the rotation when Embiid was available. During the playoffs, though, Drummond recaptured the role as Embiid’s backup while postseason first-timer Adem Bona struggled. Drummond averaged 6.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 63 regular-season games.

The 33-year-old Drummond is still a stout rebounder and big-bodied presence. His corner three-point shooting has elevated from fun novelty to legitimate offensive weapon. But he is not the most mobile, often making him a liability on defense.

Drummond was not asked about free agency during his end-of-season media session inside the Sixers’ locker room, which took place while teammates Embiid, Maxey, George, Grimes, and VJ Edgecombe spoke in a different room. But it is possible Drummond, whose salary was $5 million this season, desires a playing destination where his role was more defined and consistent.

It is presumed that Lowry, who did not conduct an end-of-season media session, will retire. This time last year, the Philly native said he wanted to play one more season to reach 20 for his career, though was more coy when asked about that plan in recent months.

Lowry was almost exclusively a trusted and enthusiastic veteran on the bench and locker room, particularly for Maxey. Would he consider staying with the franchise in an actual coaching capacity? His knowledge and relatability are invaluable, but the Sixers also could have benefited from having another player on the roster who could contribute on the floor more than the 40-year-old version of Lowry.

Just before Lowry retires, though, he maintained he will sign a one-day contract with the Toronto Raptors. That is where the former Cardinal Dougherty High School and Villanova star won an NBA championship, and became a six-time All-Star and franchise icon.

Dominick Barlow ($3.4 million team option)

Trendon Watford ($2.8 million team option)

Dalen Terry ($2.6 million team option)

Adem Bona ($2.3 million becomes fully guaranteed July 7)

Jabari Walker ($2.6 million deal becomes fully guaranteed Jan. 10)