Man, when LeBron James dipped, everyone braced for chaos, right? But the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t waste a second. They went *turbo* this summer, hitting free agency and trades in under an hour to fill out that roster. They snagged center Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade with the Jazz, then locked down big man Sandro Mamukelashvili and guards Collin Sexton and Quentin Grimes. And let me tell you, that Grimes pickup? That’s the one that’s gonna make waves.
Lakers Went All-In, Grimes Was Waiting
Yeah, some folks are already trashing the Lakers’ moves, but they might be sleeping on Quentin Grimes. This dude, he’s 26, a legit two-way wing who can drop points in the teens and get seriously annoying on defense. He’s exactly what they needed. And get this, it wasn’t some last-minute decision for him. Grimes spilled the beans on ESPN LA radio, saying there’s been “a lot of mutual interest” between him and the Lakers “for a while now.” He straight-up said “everybody wants to be wanted as a player,” and he felt it. Dude even played alongside Luka Dončić on the Mavericks for a bit, so he knows high-level hoops. He knew JJ Redick, Jarred Vanderbilt, Kurt Rambis, and Greg St. Jean already, calling it a “no-brainer and a great fit honestly.” That kind of pre-existing connection and desire is huge for a new signing.
Grimes is the Defensive Leader the Lakers Have Lacked
The Lakers have been missing that critical two-way wing for years, man. Grimes is here to plug that gap big time. He said the “sizable role” they pitched him was one of the “bigger selling points.” We’re talking a “pretty big offensive role” but also a “big leadership role on defense,” where he’s ready to take on the “challenge every night of guarding the best players.” He *wants* that responsibility. Coach Redick, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic, plans on Grimes being their point-of-attack defender. That’s a role they haven’t had in ages. Think about it: the Lakers finished 20th in defensive rating last season. Bringing in Grimes, alongside Kessler, should absolutely improve that. Grimes isn’t just a scorer; last season with the Sixers, he averaged 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 0.9 steals a game. Those steals? That’s the hustle you want.
So, when the season kicks off, keep an eye on Grimes. He’s not just a filler guy; he’s coming in with a clear role, a defensive mission, and a history of mutual interest with the squad. This isn’t just a new signing, it’s a strategic move to fix a glaring weakness. Can these early moves by the Lakers turn their defense around? We’ll find out soon enough.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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