As the Los Angeles Lakers continue to build their roster around Luka Dončić this summer, LA’s general manager Rob Pelinka might prepare an offer for a Philadelphia 76ers guard set to become an unrestricted free agent.
The Lakers are 41-25 (entering Monday) and have a decent chance at a long playoff run, provided Dončić and LeBron James stay healthy. But LA still lacks the depth needed to climb the mountaintop and seriously compete for an NBA Finals.
Pelinka’s job this offseason will be to reinforce LA’s depth chart at center and along the wings with two-way players who can thrive alongside the ball-dominant wizardry of Luka and LeBron.
Pelinka will be open to trades, of course, but he’ll also be tuned in to free agency, and one guy to keep an eye on in connection to the Lakers is Philadelphia 76ers 24-year-old shooting guard Quentin Grimes, formerly of the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks.
Since coming to Philadelphia via trade, Grimes has made Dallas look foolish for parting ways with him. Sunday night was the latest example, as Grimes went off for a team-high 28 points in a win over Dallas. He also added six assists.
Grimes is now averaging 12.7 points per game this year and is shooting 38.8 percent from three. He provides tenacious on-ball defense that Lakers head coach JJ Redick would love.
A former No. 25 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, Grimes is sure to attract plenty of suitors in restricted free agency based on his performance with the Sixers this season, but the Lakers should make him a priority.
It’ll be fascinating to see what kind of contract Grimes demands on the market. Pelinka must be hoping the asking price doesn’t get too steep.
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