RealGM Basketball Wiretap

15 September 2025

• Sixers Could Move Andre Drummond, Kelly Oubre To Create Flexibility

  The Philadelphia 76ers want to re-sign Quentin Grimes. However, the Sixers are just $1.3 million under the first apron and $13.2 million under the second apron. Re-signing Grimes would likely bring Philadelphia over the second apron.

  That has the 76ers looking at trading Andre Drummond or Kelly Oubre Jr. to create some flexibility under the aprons. With that new space, Philadelphia could re-sign Grimes, then fill out their roster with players on veteran minimum deals.

  Drummond is set to make $5 million this season on an expiring contract. Oubre is also on an expiring deal, with his contract being worth $8.4 million.

  The challenge with trading either Drummond or Oubre is that both are key players who can fill in when Joel Embiid or Paul George miss time. Both Embiid and George are expected to start training camp at least somewhat limited. In addition, the Sixers play the most back-to-back games in the NBA this season. That means having experienced backups for the two oft-injured veterans is crucial.

• Jared McCain 'On Pace' To Return To Sixers By Training Camp

  Jared McCain said that he was "on pace" to return to the Philadelphia 76ers by the start of training camp.

  "Right now, I'm on pace," said McCain on Tuesday.

  McCain suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee last December.

  There is currently no timetable for McCain's return, with the Sixers playing in the preseason NBA Abu Dhabi Games on October 2 and 4.

  McCain added that he is closer to getting healthy.

  "I still haven't talked to them if I'm free for everything," McCain said, "but I'm definitely getting there."

• RealGM Radio: Jared Dubin, Es Baraheni On The Atlantic Division
  Wes Goldberg, Jared Dubin and Es Baraheni break down the offseasons for the Knicks, Celtics, Raptors, 76ers and Nets before predicting which teams will make the playoffs.

  Time Stamps
  0:00 Intro
  3:58 Brandon Ingram's Role and Impact
  7:29 Sixers' Uncertain Season Outlook
  10:44 Knicks Offense Analysis
  20:21 Discussion on Boston's Roster Changes
  37:19 Raptors Breakdown
  45:30 Most impactful newcomer
  50:48 Most interesting rookie
  1:00:40 Playoff Predictions

  Subscribe to RealGM Radio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or via the RSS feed. Watch on YouTube.

• Ariana Andonian To Be Named GM Of Delaware Blue Coats

  The Philadelphia 76ers are set to name Ariana Andonian as the general manager of the G League's Delaware Blue Coats, sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  Andonian will take on the responsibilities in addition to her current role as the Vice President of Player Personnel for the Sixers.

  Andonian previously worked with the Grizzlies and Rockets.

• Cam Thomas, Quentin Grimes Candidates To Sign Qualifying Offers

  Restricted free agency has been slow moving for Josh Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga, Cam Thomas and Quentin Grimes. That foursome has been unable to reach deals with their incumbent teams of the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers respectively.

  While Giddey and Kuminga seem poised to let things play out longer, Thomas and Grimes could be candidates to sign their qualifying offers with the Nets and Sixers. Doing so would put each player under contract for one year, and both would be unrestricted free agents in 2026. In addition, a player who signs a qualifying offer would have a no-trade clause for that season, as they would lose their Bird rights if traded.

  Thomas and the Nets remain far apart on a new deal. Brooklyn hasn't offered Thomas the amount of salary, nor the number of years, that Thomas feels he's earned. That could lead to him signing his qualifying offer.

  Grimes and the 76ers are seemingly closer, but still haven't landed on a new agreement. Philadelphia continues to say that re-signing Grimes to a long-term deal is their priority for the remainder of this offseason. If no agreement is reached, Grimes could also be candidate to sign his qualifying offer.

• Jeff Dowtin Jr Signs With Maccabi Tel Aviv

  Former NBAer Jeff Dowtin Jr. is signing a two-year deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. Dowtin will join fellow former NBAer Lonnie Walker IV with the Israeli and EuroLeague power next season. Both Dowtin and Walker played for the Philadelphia 76ers last season.

  The 6-foot-3 point guard appeared in 41 NBA games for the Sixers last season. Dowtin averaged 7.0 points on 49/40/73 shooting splits in 15.1 minutes per game. He's also played for the Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors in the NBA.

• Ricky Council IV Waived By Sixers

  The Philadelphia 76ers have waived Ricky Council IV. The Sixers converted Council from a Two-Way to a multi-year contract in April 2024.

  Council appeared in seven Summer League games, averaging 18.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals in 27.8 minutes.

  Last season, Council appeared in 73 games with the Sixers and averaged 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 17.1 minutes.

  Council went undrafted in 2023 out of Arkansas.

• Lonnie Walker IV, Maccabi Agree To Contract

  Lonnie Walker IV has agreed to sign with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Walker has an NBA buyout clause in his contract until August 1st and will be one of the highest-paid players in Europe.

  Walker was with the Boston Celtics for preseason in 2024-25 before signing with Zalgiris. Walker then joined the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $3 million deal in February.

  Walker averaged 12.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 23.8 minutes across 20 games for the Sixers.

  Walker, who is represented by George Langberg, was the 18th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft out of Miami by the San Antonio Spurs.

• Joel Embiid Takes Control of Rehabilitation Timeline Following Second Knee Operation In 14 Months

  Joel Embiid has embraced a more cautious approach to his knee rehabilitation following his second surgery in 14 months. Embiid is prioritizing long-term health over rushing back to the court for the upcoming season with the Philadelphia 76ers.

  Embiid underwent his latest knee procedure in April after months of uncertainty and recurring swelling issues. Embiid told ESPN's Dotun Akintoye in late June that he would not push his recovery timeline, marking a significant departure from previous injury management approaches.

  "We're not going to push anything," Embiid said. "For my whole career, I felt like we never took that approach."

  The 76ers' organization had previously expressed optimism about Embiid's availability for training camp in September. However, the 30-year-old center declined to commit to any specific return date during recent interviews.

  "We don't have a timeline," Embiid stated. "Hopefully, sooner rather than later."

  Embiid emphasized the business realities surrounding his recovery process. He acknowledged that returning too early without being fully healthy would ultimately hurt the team's championship aspirations.

  "If I come back early enough and I'm still not myself, guess what? You're not winning any games," he explained.

  The injury struggles have taken a significant psychological toll on Embiid, who began working with a therapist on the recommendation of assistant GM Jameer Nelson. The decision came after Embiid initially resisted the idea of mental health treatment.

  "I was, like, 'There is no chance. I don't believe in none of that,'" Embiid recalled about his initial reaction to therapy.

  Despite his initial skepticism, Embiid has maintained his commitment to the therapeutic process. He credits the sessions with helping him understand the pressures that may have contributed to his current situation.

  "To this day, I'm 100 percent committed to it," Embiid said. "But I will not sit here and say that my belief is ever going to be 100 percent in therapy."

  The 2023 MVP winner admitted that external pressures to play through injuries may have worsened his condition. His decision to publicly announce his need for surgery to ESPN surprised the organization and highlighted communication issues between player and management.

  "Feeding into the pressure of you got to play, got to go out there, can't let people down and this and that," Embiid said. "That's probably one of the reasons why I'm in this position now."

  Embiid described his public statement as "a cry for help" after feeling unheard by the organization. The incident underscored ongoing tensions between the star player and the front office regarding injury management protocols.

  Looking ahead, Embiid remains confident about his future despite the setbacks. He expressed faith in his recovery process and long-term basketball prospects while acknowledging the challenges ahead.

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