Quentin Grimes Targets Starting Spot with Lakers Following Big Contract

Quentin Grimes enters his first stretch with the Los Angeles Lakers targeting a spot in the starting lineup following a four-year, $60 million contract agreement. With LeBron James and Rui Hachimura having departed the franchise, the Lakers have three established starters locked into their new core — Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler — leaving two open positions in the opening five.

Competing for the Starting Backcourt

Grimes arrives in Los Angeles aiming to earn his minutes through intense daily sessions rather than expecting a guaranteed role. “On veut être compétitif chaque jour à l’entraînement et je veux me battre pour [une place de titulaire]. Mais je veux la mériter, car on ne veut pas que les choses nous soient données,” Grimes stated, emphasizing the value of competition alongside Doncic, whom he previously played with on the Mavericks. The player views the battle for the starting five slots as a vital catalyst for the entire roster’s development.

Grimes Uses Defensive Capabilities to Bid for Starting Lineup

Coming off a 2025-26 season with the Philadelphia 76ers where he averaged 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across 75 appearances, Grimes intends to anchor his bid for the starting lineup on his defensive capabilities. He faces competition from players including Jake LaRavia, Matisse Thybulle, Adou Thiero, and Ziaire Williams. “Tout le monde cherche à avoir des responsabilités, quelles qu’elles soient, et la mienne se trouve de ce côté du parquet,” Grimes noted regarding his defensive focus. Having previously posted strong statistics with the New York Knicks and Philadelphia, including 21.9 points per game in 28 contests during the 2024-25 campaign, Grimes wants the assignment of guarding opponents’ best attackers each night.

"I Want to Fight for It…" Quentin Grimes on Open Starting Spot with Lakers

Historical Production Across NBA Stops

Statistical records outline Grimes’s progression through his stops with New York, Detroit, Dallas, and Philadelphia. During his 2021-22 campaign with the Knicks, he appeared in 46 games while averaging 6.0 points in 17 minutes per contest. His output grew during the 2022-23 season in New York, where he played 71 games and averaged 11.3 points while shooting 38.6 percent from beyond the arc. Following brief stops and a stint with the Detroit Pistons, Grimes registered 10.2 points per game for the Mavericks in 2024-25 before his tenure with the 76ers.

Internal Competition Determines Final Two Starting Spots

Decisions regarding the final two starting spots remain open as the Lakers prepare for the regular season schedule. Internal competition in practice remains the primary mechanism for sorting out the rotation. Grimes’s defensive versatility and prior familiarity with Doncic provide tactical flexibility as they reshape the roster in the wake of significant veteran departures.