Quentin Grimes joined the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2026 offseason on a four-year, $60 million contract after a productive season with the Philadelphia 76ers. He is competing for a starting perimeter role alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, but the Lakers have not officially locked him into the starting lineup. His defensive ability, three-point shooting and ability to attack closeouts make him an important fit for a Lakers team looking for more two-way perimeter play.
Introduction
Quentin Grimes is entering the 2026-27 NBA season as one of the most important new pieces of the Los Angeles Lakers’ perimeter rotation.
The Lakers agreed to a four-year, $60 million contract with Grimes during the 2026 NBA offseason, and the deal became official in July. The 26-year-old guard arrived in Los Angeles after producing a career-best offensive season with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The signing gives the Lakers another player capable of shooting from outside, attacking defensive closeouts and taking difficult perimeter assignments.
But the biggest question entering the season is not whether Grimes will play.
It is how prominently he will play.
The Lakers have several candidates for their remaining starting positions, and current reporting indicates that Grimes is competing for a starting spot rather than receiving one automatically. His ability to defend at the point of attack could ultimately be one of the strongest arguments for putting him in the opening lineup.
For Los Angeles, that defensive component matters.
The Lakers already have high-level offensive creators, particularly Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Adding a guard who can provide shooting while also taking on difficult defensive assignments could improve the balance of the lineup.
What Happened?
The Lakers reached an agreement with Grimes during the 2026 NBA free-agency period.
NBA.com reported that the agreement became official on July 7, 2026, as Los Angeles added Grimes along with Sandro Mamukelashvili.
NBA.com subsequently listed Grimes among the Lakers’ completed 2026 offseason additions.
The contract was reported as a four-year, $60 million deal.
The move followed a strong 2025-26 campaign in Philadelphia, where Grimes appeared in 75 games and averaged 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
He also started 19 games for the 76ers.
That combination of production and versatility helped establish Grimes as more than a traditional three-and-D specialist.
He demonstrated that he could contribute as a scorer, secondary ball-handler and passer while still providing defensive value.
Key Details
- Player: Quentin Grimes
- Team: Los Angeles Lakers
- Position: Shooting guard
- Jersey: No. 5
- Height: 6-foot-4
- Weight: 210 pounds
- Born: May 8, 2000
- Age: 26
- College: Kansas and Houston
- NBA Draft: 2021, No. 25 overall
- Drafted by: Los Angeles Clippers
- 2025-26 team: Philadelphia 76ers
- 2025-26 stats: 13.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.3 APG
- 2025-26 shooting: 45.0% FG, 33.4% 3PT, 84.0% FT
- Lakers contract: Four years, $60 million
- 2026-27 status: Competing for a starting role
Quentin Grimes Lakers Contract
The Quentin Grimes Lakers contract is for four years and $60 million.
It represents a significant investment in a player who is still entering the prime portion of his career.
Grimes was only 26 when he joined Los Angeles, meaning the Lakers were not simply paying for veteran experience. They were also investing in a player they believe can remain useful throughout the life of the contract.
The deal also reflects his development over the previous several seasons.
Grimes entered the NBA primarily known for shooting and defense.
His role gradually expanded.
By 2025-26, he was contributing not only as a perimeter shooter but also as a rebounder, passer and secondary creator.
Basketball-Reference lists his career averages through the 2025-26 season at 11.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, with 36.6% career three-point shooting.
That development helps explain why Los Angeles was willing to give him a four-year commitment.
What Were Quentin Grimes’ 2025-26 Stats?
Grimes had his most productive regular season to date with Philadelphia.
He appeared in 75 games, starting 19.
His averages were:
| Statistic | 2025-26 |
|---|---|
| Games | 75 |
| Starts | 19 |
| Minutes | 29.4 |
| Points | 13.4 |
| Rebounds | 3.6 |
| Assists | 3.3 |
| Steals | 0.9 |
| Blocks | 0.4 |
| Field Goal % | 45.0% |
| Three-Point % | 33.4% |
| Free Throw % | 84.0% |
These numbers show a player who was asked to do considerably more than simply stand in the corner and shoot.
He averaged more than three assists per game and nearly four rebounds.
His 13.4 points per game were also a career high.
However, his three-point percentage dropped to 33.4%, below his career average of 36.6%.
That is one of the areas the Lakers will be watching closely.
If Grimes can return closer to his career shooting efficiency while maintaining his expanded playmaking responsibilities, his offensive value becomes more significant.
Grimes’ Development Before Joining the Lakers
Grimes entered the NBA after a somewhat unusual college path.
He initially played at Kansas before transferring to Houston.
He became a major contributor at Houston and improved his draft stock substantially.
The Los Angeles Clippers selected him with the 25th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, but his rights were subsequently traded to the New York Knicks.
He became part of the Knicks’ young core and developed a reputation as a capable perimeter defender and shooter.
His early NBA role was relatively straightforward.
Defend.
Shoot.
Move without the ball.
Make smart decisions.
Over time, his responsibilities expanded.
From New York to Philadelphia
Grimes’ NBA career has included stops with the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers before his move back to Los Angeles.
His 2024-25 season was particularly important.
After joining Philadelphia, he received a much larger offensive role.
In 28 games with the 76ers that season, he averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists while playing 33.7 minutes per game.
Those numbers came in a smaller sample, but they showed that Grimes could handle more responsibility when given the opportunity.
Philadelphia subsequently retained him as an important rotation player during the 2025-26 season.
That season provided a larger sample of his all-around game.
Why the Lakers Wanted Quentin Grimes
The Lakers’ interest in Grimes makes sense when looking at their roster construction.
Los Angeles has players capable of creating offense.
The question is how to surround those creators with players who can defend, shoot and play without requiring constant touches.
Grimes fits that description.
He can:
- Space the floor.
- Attack closeouts.
- Defend guards and wings.
- Move without the ball.
- Handle secondary playmaking duties.
- Rebound reasonably well for a guard.
- Take difficult perimeter assignments.
Those skills are particularly useful next to a player such as Luka Dončić.
Dončić dominates the ball and creates opportunities for teammates.
A player like Grimes can benefit from those opportunities without needing to dominate possessions himself.
Quentin Grimes and Luka Dončić
There is also a familiar connection between Grimes and Dončić.
Grimes played for the Dallas Mavericks before eventually moving to Philadelphia.
That means he already has experience playing alongside Dončić.
That familiarity could help his transition in Los Angeles.
The Lakers do not need Grimes to learn how to play next to Dončić from scratch.
He has already experienced the spacing and off-ball movement required when playing alongside one of the league’s highest-usage offensive stars.
The challenge will be turning that previous experience into a more consistent two-way role.
Is Quentin Grimes a Starter for the Lakers?
Not officially.
This distinction is important.
Grimes is considered a strong candidate for a starting position, but current reporting describes the Lakers’ lineup as a competition rather than a finalized arrangement.
The Lakers already have established pieces including Dončić, Reaves and Kessler.
The remaining perimeter and frontcourt spots have several candidates.
Grimes is competing with players including Jake LaRavia, Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle for starting opportunities, according to current Lakers reporting.
That competition is likely to be one of the most closely watched aspects of the team’s preseason.
Why Grimes Could Start
There is a strong basketball argument for putting Grimes in the starting lineup.
The Lakers need perimeter players who can defend.
Dončić is an elite offensive engine, but asking him to handle the toughest perimeter defensive assignments every night would not maximize his overall impact.
Grimes can potentially take some of those responsibilities.
He also provides shooting gravity.
Even when he is not taking shots, a credible perimeter shooter can force defenses to respect his position.
That creates more space for Dončić and other creators.
His ability to attack closeouts adds another layer.
If a defender closes hard on Grimes, he can put the ball on the floor instead of simply passing it back.
That makes him harder to ignore offensively.
Quentin Grimes’ Defensive Impact
Defense may be the most important part of the Quentin Grimes Lakers story.
Current reporting has emphasized his desire to re-establish the point-of-attack defense that was one of his strengths earlier in his career.
Point-of-attack defense refers to defending the ball-handler before an offensive action develops.
It is especially important for teams facing elite guards and lead ball-handlers.
Grimes has the size and mobility to defend both guards and some larger perimeter players.
His defensive value is not simply about steals.
Good perimeter defense can involve:
- Staying in front of the ball.
- Fighting through screens.
- Contesting jump shots.
- Forcing ball-handlers away from preferred areas.
- Communicating during switches.
- Rotating when teammates are beaten.
- Recovering to shooters.
For the Lakers, those details could be more important than his scoring average.
A Defensive Reset in Los Angeles
Grimes’ defensive role is particularly interesting because his defensive reputation evolved during his time in the NBA.
He was widely regarded as a strong defender with New York.
However, his role and responsibilities changed as he moved between teams.
Current Lakers reporting indicates that Grimes wants to return to the defensive identity he established earlier in his career.
That makes the Lakers a potentially important opportunity.
Los Angeles has offensive stars.
What it needs around them is balance.
If Grimes can become the team’s dependable perimeter stopper while also shooting efficiently, his value could exceed what his box-score statistics suggest.
Grimes’ Offensive Fit
Grimes’ offensive fit is built around three primary skills.
Three-point shooting
He has shot 36.6% from three for his NBA career.
His 33.4% mark in 2025-26 was below that career level, so improving his outside efficiency would help the Lakers’ spacing.
Closeout attacks
Grimes can attack defenders who overcommit to his shooting.
That prevents defenses from simply running him off the three-point line.
Secondary playmaking
His 3.3 assists per game in 2025-26 show that he can make plays beyond scoring.
That matters when Dončić gives up the ball.
A team with multiple secondary creators is harder to defend because the offense does not stop whenever its primary ball-handler passes.
What Officials and Organizations Said
NBA.com confirmed that the Lakers officially completed the Grimes signing in July 2026 and described him as part of the team’s offseason backcourt additions.
Current reporting from Lakers-focused coverage indicates that Grimes views the starting competition as something he must earn rather than an automatic role. The emphasis has been on competition, effort and his ability to contribute defensively.
NBA.com’s player profile also identified Grimes as a player who could have an important role for the Lakers, with defensive ability potentially carrying as much significance as his offensive production.
No official Lakers announcement has established Grimes as a permanent starting shooting guard for the regular season.
Why This Matters
The Grimes signing is important because the Lakers are trying to build a roster around high-level offensive talent without sacrificing perimeter defense.
A lineup centered around Dončić requires players who can capitalize on his passing while also covering defensive responsibilities.
Grimes potentially addresses both areas.
His four-year contract also suggests that Los Angeles sees him as more than a short-term rental.
The Lakers are investing in his development and expecting his role to remain meaningful over several seasons.
That makes his 2026-27 season particularly important.
If he becomes a reliable two-way starter, the Lakers could have found one of the missing pieces in their lineup.
If his shooting remains inconsistent and his point-of-attack defense does not return to its previous level, the starting competition could remain open.
The Importance of Three-Point Efficiency
One of the clearest statistical questions surrounding Grimes is his three-point shooting.
His career mark entering the Lakers season is 36.6% from three, while he shot 33.4% in 2025-26.
That difference may appear small, but it matters significantly for a player whose value is partly based on spacing.
The Lakers do not necessarily need Grimes to shoot at an elite superstar level.
They need opponents to believe that leaving him open is a mistake.
If he can consistently punish defensive rotations, his presence creates more room for Dončić and the team’s other creators.
What Happens Next?
The next major question is the Lakers’ final starting lineup.
Grimes will compete for the starting position during the preseason and early part of the 2026-27 season.
His recent preseason performances have already provided some indication of his offensive involvement.
He scored 16 points against Sacramento on October 5 and followed that with 12 points against Golden State on October 6, according to current NBA game data.
Those games are preseason and should not be confused with regular-season statistics.
The more important test will be how consistently Grimes defends, shoots and fits alongside the Lakers’ primary creators once meaningful games begin.
Current Outlook for Quentin Grimes
The Lakers’ investment makes Grimes one of the more interesting players on the roster.
He does not need to become a star for the contract to make sense.
He needs to become a reliable two-way contributor.
A successful season could look like:
- Efficient perimeter shooting.
- Consistent point-of-attack defense.
- Smart off-ball movement.
- Secondary playmaking.
- Strong effort against top perimeter scorers.
- Reliable availability.
- A clear understanding of his role next to Dončić and Reaves.
If those pieces come together, Grimes could become one of the Lakers’ most important complementary players.
Final Assessment
Quentin Grimes enters the Lakers’ 2026-27 season with a significant opportunity.
The four-year, $60 million contract shows that Los Angeles believes in his long-term value.
But the starting role is not guaranteed.
Grimes still has to win that position through his performance.
His 2025-26 numbers—13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game—demonstrate that he can contribute in several areas. His career three-point percentage of 36.6% gives the Lakers a useful shooting option, while his defensive reputation gives the team something it badly needs around its offensive stars.
The biggest question is whether he can combine those skills consistently.
If Grimes returns to being a disruptive point-of-attack defender while improving his shooting efficiency, he has a strong case to start.
If not, the Lakers have other options.
Either way, the Quentin Grimes Lakers contract represents a significant investment in a young veteran whose best value may come from doing several things well rather than dominating one statistical category.
For Los Angeles, that versatility could be exactly what its roster needs.
FAQs
What is Quentin Grimes’ Lakers contract?
Quentin Grimes signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2026 NBA offseason. The agreement became official on July 7, 2026.
Is Quentin Grimes a Lakers starter?
Not officially. Grimes is competing for a starting position, and current reporting identifies him as one of the leading candidates for one of the Lakers’ open starting spots.
What position does Quentin Grimes play?
Grimes primarily plays shooting guard, although his skill set allows him to defend multiple perimeter positions and contribute as a secondary ball-handler.
What were Quentin Grimes’ stats in 2025-26?
Grimes averaged 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 75 games for Philadelphia during the 2025-26 regular season. He shot 45.0% from the field and 33.4% from three-point range.
Is Quentin Grimes a good defender?
Defense is considered one of Grimes’ important strengths. Current Lakers reporting has specifically highlighted his ability to defend at the point of attack and his goal of re-establishing that defensive impact in Los Angeles.
What is Quentin Grimes’ career three-point percentage?
Through the 2025-26 season, Grimes had made 36.6% of his career three-point attempts. He shot 33.4% from three during the 2025-26 regular season.
How old is Quentin Grimes?
Quentin Grimes was born on May 8, 2000, in Houston, Texas. He is 26 years old during the 2026-27 NBA season.
Which team drafted Quentin Grimes?
Grimes was selected 25th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. His draft rights were subsequently moved to the New York Knicks.
Why did the Lakers sign Quentin Grimes?
The Lakers signed Grimes because he can provide a combination of perimeter shooting, secondary playmaking and defense. His ability to defend opposing guards and wings is particularly important for a roster built around offensive creators such as Luka Dončić.
Does Quentin Grimes have experience playing with Luka Dončić?
Yes. Grimes previously played for the Dallas Mavericks, where he was a teammate of Dončić before joining Philadelphia and eventually signing with the Lakers. That prior experience could help his transition into Los Angeles’ offense.
