Restricted free agent Quentin Grimes has signed Philadelphia’s qualifying offer, ending the NBA’s longest offseason contract standoff, while Keegan Murray prepares for a new role in Sacramento and the Los Angeles Lakers continue to sort out their final starting spot.
76ers
Grimes accepted the one-year qualifying offer after a market with limited cap space produced no sizeable offer sheets. Team president Daryl Morey had indicated he would let external offers set Grimes’s value. Philadelphia already carries major financial commitments to Paul George and Joel Embiid, plus rookie guards Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe, making a long-term deal for Grimes less likely this summer.
The 24-year-old averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 28 games last season. One league executive told the Philadelphia Inquirer that those numbers came during a late-season stretch when the club was prioritizing lottery odds.
Kings
Murray said he feels “energized” under new head coach Doug Christie and expects to be used more in transition and off-ball actions. His shot attempts dropped from 12.7 to 10.8 per game last season as touches went to Dennis Schroder, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk and Domantas Sabonis. Christie has encouraged Murray to remain aggressive, telling him to aim for roughly ten three-point attempts per night. Schroder’s arrival is also expected to lighten Murray’s defensive burden by allowing him to guard top perimeter scorers instead of chasing point guards.
Lakers
Los Angeles revamped its roster but has yet to determine its fifth starter, according to Bleacher Report. Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura and Jake LaRavia are the primary candidates. Hachimura offers shooting consistency with a 41.8 percent clip from deep over the past two seasons, LaRavia supplies defensive energy and a steady jumper, and Smart adds perimeter toughness next to Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves. Jarred Vanderbilt is viewed as a potential dark-horse option, contingent on health and fit.
The three clubs enter training camp with key questions answered in Philadelphia, evolving roles in Sacramento and an open competition in Los Angeles.
Source: Hoops Wire
