Quentin Grimes landed a massive four-year, $60 million contract with the Lakers this summer, making him one of their biggest external free agent signings right behind Walker Kessler’s four-year, $130 million deal. Now, with two starting spots wide open next to Kessler, Reaves, and Luka Dončić, all eyes are on Grimes to see if he can lock one down. The Lakers are definitely banking on one of their big money guys this offseason to solidify himself in that starting quintet.
Grimes Is Here To Earn It
The competition for those coveted starting spots is absolutely heating up, and Grimes is not shying away from it one bit. He’s embracing that grind, saying, “You want to be competitive every day in practice. I want to fight for [a starting spot], I want to earn it. You don’t want anything handed to you or given out to you. So, I feel like having that competition aspect to go out there and try to fight for a starting spot is going to be big for our team.” Talk about setting the tone early! Other guys like Jake LaRavia, who’s looking to bounce back from a tough second half last season, Ziare Williams, trying to make his big breakthrough, and Matisse Thybulle, shaking off injury woes, are also gunning for those wing roles. But Grimes is coming in with a clear mindset: he’s gonna earn it.
Defense Is His Responsibility
Beyond his floor-spacing and ability to attack closeouts, the Lakers clearly signed Grimes for his point-of-attack defense. We saw flashes of that elite D back when he was with the New York Knicks, even if it didn’t quite pop as much with the Philadelphia 76ers. But guess what? Grimes is ready to bring that fire back and then some. He’s geared up to be the defensive anchor for a Lakers squad that definitely leans towards offense. “I feel like I take a lot of pride defensively,” Grimes told us. “Everybody wants to have responsibility, whatever it is on the court, and mine happens to be defensively. I know what I’m capable of offensively and they know that as well. So, just to be able to know that and guard the best player every night, take on that challenge, want to be competitive, want to do whatever I can to help this team win. That’s all I want is that responsibility.” You gotta love that attitude!
That kind of defensive pride, combined with his offensive game, is exactly why the Lakers dropped $60 million on him. Getting a guy hungry enough to earn his spot and take on the toughest defensive assignments every night? Yeah, that’s a winning mentality. We can’t wait to see Grimes hit the court and prove he’s the missing piece for this Lakers starting five.
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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