The Los Angeles Lakers continued their offseason overhaul by closing a four-year, $60 million agreement with guard Quentin Grimes, a player the organization had eyed since early summer.
Grimes, 26, spent the past season and a half with the Philadelphia 76ers following a brief stop in Dallas, where he shared the backcourt with Luka Doncic. Familiarity with several Lakers figures—including Doncic, head coach J.J. Redick, forward Jarred Vanderbilt, and staffers Kurt Rambis and Greg St. Jean—heavily influenced his decision.
“Every player wants to feel valued,” Grimes told ESPN LA’s Mason & Ireland. “The interest on both sides had been there for a while, and with so many people I already know in L.A., it felt like the right move.”
Los Angeles plans to slot Grimes into the starting lineup alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves, taking the spot previously held by Marcus Smart. While his shooting and secondary playmaking are considered seamless fits, the 6-foot-5 guard acknowledged that his ability to handle primary defensive assignments will be under scrutiny.
“The coaching staff laid out a vision where I’ll have a significant role on offense and, just as important, lead the effort on defense,” Grimes said. “Guarding the opponent’s best player every night is a challenge I’m ready for.”
Grimes added that Doncic was the first person to reach out after news of the signing broke, underscoring the duo’s rapport from their time with the Mavericks.
The Lakers have now committed long-term money to a core that features Doncic, Reaves, Anthony Davis, and Grimes as they aim to return to title contention.
Source: LakersNation.com
