A week and change into their offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers have already been tied to several intriguing targets. One player recently gaining steam is Luka Doncic’s former teammate, Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes, who LA could consider with their bench backcourt in limbo.
Lakers Among Insider’s ‘Best Fits’ for Quentin Grimes
Grimes, who played with Doncic in Dallas for part of the 2024-25 season, broke out with the Sixers after the Mavericks’ notorious fire sale.
In 28 games (25 starts) with Philly after the deadline, Grimes averaged a career-best 21.9 points while shooting 46.9% from the field, 37.3% from deep and 75% from the free-throw line. This season—on a qualifying offer after extension talks fell through—the 26-year-old put up 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists as a productive rotational piece. He also shot 45% from the field, 33.4% from 3-point range and 84% from the stripe.
The Lakers discussed Grimes as a potential target during the season, looking for lengthy defenders with solid shooting touch. At 6’4” with a 6’8” wingspan, Grimes fits that role on paper, with CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn considering him “probably the best” 3-and-D player “the market has to offer.” ESPN’s Bobby Marks also listed the Lakers as one of the “best fits” for the fifth-year guard, writing:
“The deal I’d offer: Two years, $30 million with a player option in the second year. Grimes signed an $8.7 million qualifying offer with Philadelphia before training camp and enters the offseason as one of the best unrestricted free agent shooting guards.
Barring a sign-and-trade, Grimes’ suitors could be teams that have the $15 million non-tax midlevel exception. The player option allows Grimes to enter free agency next offseason, when nearly half of the league’s teams are projected to have cap space.”
Grimes’ Potential Fit With Lakers
Grimes’ production and perimeter shooting make him a promising fit, and his familiarity next to Doncic can only help his case. With two of the Lakers’ veteran guards (Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard) hitting free agency, shoring up the backcourt could become a priority if LA loses one or both of them this summer.
An efficient shooter for most of his career, Grimes’ tenure in Philadelphia has been filled with scoring outbursts—including a brazen 46-point, 13-rebound double-double last March. He eclipsed the 20-point mark 15 times this season, with nine of them coming off the bench. Grimes did face some notable offensive hiccups, including a fluctuating 3-point shot and a concerning increase in turnovers (133 this season, second-most of his career). Still, his production would lift LA’s second unit, which lacked reliable contributors outside of Smart, Kennard and, later, Rui Hachimura.
On the other side, Grimes offered valuable perimeter defense, including hustle plays against the Boston Celtics in the first round of this year’s playoffs. His willingness to defend opposing stars would give the Lakers another weapon in their revolving door of schemes—not to mention take the pressure off of Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Sequence of the season for Quentin Grimes. pic.twitter.com/FC6jErbunf
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) April 29, 2026
Quentin Grimes' one-on-one defense has stood out quite a bit over the last few games. He was part of the lineup that flipped the Sixers' win over Minnesota on Friday: pic.twitter.com/mby2DiL5Gi
— Adam Aaronson's clips (@SixersAdamClips) April 4, 2026
The Last Word on Grimes and the Lakers
The 26-year-old Grimes can certainly help the Lakers, who could use his skills and potential to shore up the bench and play off their stars. The main factor is whether the Lakers view Grimes as being worth $15 million per year. Concerns over his consistency and on-ball play persist, and the backcourt is not yet a pressing need compared to the clear uncertainty up front.
Still, Grimes checks key boxes for the purple and gold, and after months of eyeing him from afar, he’s worth their consideration.
© Erik Williams-Imagn Images
