Quentin Grimes inked a massive 4-year, $60 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers at the start of free agency, a move that screams the team’s commitment to building around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. The 26-year-old guard was a critical offseason addition for a Lakers squad making it crystal clear they’re heading in a fresh direction, and his spot in the lineup is going to tell us a lot about what’s next.
Stepping Up in a Streamlined Role
Grimes isn’t just another body; he’s expected to slot right into a critical starting spot next to Dončić and Reaves. That designation is huge, and the team made a significant investment to make it happen. He’s already bounced around the league a bit in his young career, but this contract and his projected role are his best shot at making Los Angeles a long-term home. To pull that off, Grimes has to keep doing what makes him tantalizing while also fine-tuning his game to fit this new setup.
There’s no debate about Grimes’ ability to score; he can fill it up at all three levels. He’s got the tools to absolutely feast when defenses are loading up on Dončić and Reaves. The trick? He’ll need to embrace a more streamlined role. His usage, attempts, and touch time might all go down, but that’s for the best. The goal is improved efficiency and better shot quality, and honestly, that’s what makes this so exciting.
Unlocking His Game Next to Dončić
Last season, Grimes shot a pedestrian 34% from three when you strip out garbage time and heaves. On the surface, you might look at that and wonder about the fit. But when you zoom in on the details, there are some specific changes the Lakers are uniquely positioned to make that could unlock way better results. NBA tracking data shows Grimes converted 36.6% of his catch-and-shoot chances compared to a rough 28.8% on pull-ups last season. Even wilder, with the Sixers, he took 115 tightly contested threes compared to just 98 wide-open ones!
That simply cannot be the case with this Lakers team. If his short experience playing with Dončić in the past is any indicator, an improvement is a safe assumption. Imagine the wide-open looks Grimes is going to get when defenses are scrambling to contain Dončić. That’s where this investment pays off big time.
This is a defining moment for Grimes, and it’s a huge look at the Lakers’ future. This new iteration of the team is here, built on fresh faces and a clear direction, and Grimes is right in the thick of it. We’re about to see just how well that massive investment pays off once the season kicks off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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