Quentin Grimes is officially the newest Laker, but here’s the kicker: this dude has been tight with head coach JJ Redick for a minute, even crashing at Redick’s guest house during workouts. Yeah, for real. This isn’t just some random free agent signing, it feels like a move that was in the cards for a while, making you wonder what else has been brewing behind the scenes.
The “No-Brainer” Fit That Was Brewing For Years
Grimes isn’t just walking into a new locker room cold. He’s a five-year player who spent most of his career in New York and Philadelphia, with a brief run alongside Luka Dončić on the Mavericks. But the real story here is the deep connection with the Lakers’ coaching staff. He literally stayed at Redick’s guest house during past workouts. That’s not just “mutual interest,” that’s practically family! Grimes spilled the beans on ESPN LA’s Mason & Ireland Show, saying, “I think everybody wants to be wanted as a player and I feel like there was a lot of mutual interest between me and the Lakers for a while now.” He wasn’t wrong. He also dropped that he knew Jarred Vanderbilt, Kurt Rambis, and Greg St. Jean already, calling it “kind of like a no-brainer and a great fit honestly.” When a player knows that many people, it’s usually a smooth transition. Redick clearly respected his game and work ethic from those prior sessions, so the chemistry should be there from day one.
The $60 Million Bet On A Two-Way Leader
Look, other teams were definitely sniffing around Grimes, but the Lakers landed him with a four-year, $60 million deal. What sealed the deal wasn’t just the familiar faces, but the specific role Redick and the team pitched him. Grimes said that was “one of the bigger selling points.” He’s coming in with a “pretty big offensive role” but also a “big leadership role on defense.” How about that for stakes? He wants that challenge every night, guarding the best players and taking on that responsibility. Last season, he put up 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. With six of LA’s top 10 scorers from last year gone, the need for his scoring is obvious. But it’s his vision of himself as a defensive leader, a top two-way player, that’s really gonna get fans hyped. Can he deliver on that promise?
This isn’t just a signing; it’s a statement about what the Lakers expect from Grimes. He’s stepping into a massive role, ready to tackle the league’s top talent on defense while adding a much-needed scoring punch. Can he live up to that $60 million and deliver on the promise of being a top two-way player? We’re all watching to see if this bet pays off big time for the Lakers.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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