Quentin Grimes is one of seven total new acquisitions by the Los Angeles Lakers so far as they navigate a new era with LeBron James departing. L.A. made a commitment to Grimes by signing him to a four-year, $60 million contract, demonstrating the belief of general manager Rob Pelinka in what he can become as a player.
Now, it is up to head coach JJ Redick to piece it all together after coming off back-to-back 50-win seasons. Specifically defensively, the Lakers will face plenty of challenges given their roster construction. But Grimes is projected to be a point-of-attack defender this season and he is ready to embrace that role.
“Yeah, taking on that challenge being a point-of-attack defender that I am, have been for four or five years in the NBA,” Grimes said in an interview with Mason & Ireland on ESPN LA. “Thibs (Tom Thibodeau) did a great job with me in New York, teaching me the ropes of how to be a pro and giving me that challenge early on in my career. In New York, my first year, second year, taking on the role of guarding all the best players. So, being that here and JJ (Redick) already talked about it, just being in elite shape, elite conditioning, to take on that challenge every night. And that’s why I’ll be super prepared and super ready to take on that challenge every night.”
It is no easy feat to guard perimeter players in today’s NBA given how many dynamic players there are, so hearing that Grimes is willing to take on that task is great. Trying to build a championship-caliber defense around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves is something Redick needs to fine-tune heading into this year.
If Los Angeles can add more size on the wing with Jonathan Kuminga and Matisse Thybulle, then things begin to click into place. Seeing if Grimes can hone back in on his defensive tendencies will also be a massive help for L.A. and hopefully turn him into a quality 3-and-D guard.
In addition, it helps to have a 7-foot rim protector to clean things up behind him in Walker Kessler to make everyone’s lives easier. Again, seeing Grimes quickly buy in on the defensive end is great to hear and hopefully Redick can achieve that with his entire rotation.
Quentin Grimes & Lakers had mutual interest ‘for a while’
As mentioned, Rob Pelinka needed to be aggressive in upgrading this roster around Luka Doncic. Time will tell if these moves can all mix, but Grimes and L.A. had mutual interest for a while and were finally able to create a partnership.
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