Guard Quentin Grimes has signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, a move he described as a “no-brainer” due to the opportunities for stability, familiarity, and an increased role.
The 26-year-old guard, who has played for four teams in the past two seasons, will have a player option for the 2029-30 season. Grimes previously played briefly with Lakers star Luka Dončić on the Dallas Mavericks during the 2024-25 season and has a prior connection with Lakers coach JJ Redick, who trained with him during the 2023 offseason.
Grimes is expected to be a starter for the Lakers in the upcoming 2026-27 season, potentially alongside Dončić, Austin Reaves, and offseason acquisition Walker Kessler. "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," Grimes told ESPN LA in July. "Nobody expected Luka to be with the Lakers — we had a good little run with Dallas. I knew JJ. I knew Jarred Vanderbilt. I knew Kurt Rambis …[assistant coach] Greg St. Jean. It was kind of like a no-brainer and a great fit, honestly."
After a period of significant team movement, including three trades in one year, Grimes expressed his desire for settled stability with a franchise that values his contributions. "That was really one of the biggest points, talking with JJ and them, having them being able to pitch me what my role would look like," Grimes said. "Having a pretty big offensive role within the team. But also having a big leadership role on the defensive end as well. Taking on the challenge every night of guarding the best players and wanting that responsibility."
Grimes began his career with the New York Knicks as a consistent rotation player, often tasked with defending opponents' top perimeter players. In the latter part of the 2024-25 season, he showcased his offensive capabilities during 28 games with the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 21.9 points and 4.5 assists as a starter. Following that season, he accepted a one-year qualifying offer with the 76ers for the 2025-26 season, primarily playing as a key reserve. With the Lakers, Grimes anticipates an expanded role, where he will be expected to be a consistent offensive contributor and the team's primary point-of-attack defender.