Before free agency even arrived, there were many out there who were safely penciling Quentin Grimes in for a spot on the Los Angeles Lakers. The history with Luka Doncic and the relationship with JJ Redick made that one a safe prediction. Those people were right.
Grimes was reported to be on his way to the Lakers in the flurry of moves that followed the Walker Kessler sign-and-trade. His four-year, $60 million contract makes him the fourth most expensive player on the roster. It also brings a healthy amount of expectations for the new arrival.
Quentin Grimes' role and expectations with the Lakers in 2026-27
Grimes is the first player in this continuing series where you can actually speculate on where exactly he slots in with the Lakers. Kessler, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves are all guaranteed starters by contrast. That being said, it is more than fair to estimate that Grimes joins that group.
For one, the former Philadelphia 76er was paid like one. More importantly, the fit as a starter just makes sense.
Grimes slots in nicely as the Lakers' main point of attack defender in the starting lineup. Offensively, the 26-year-old can operate both off the ball as a 3-point threat beside Doncic and Reaves, plus as an on-ball creator when the rocks swings his way.
The context clues for Grimes starting and effectively serving as the third option behind Doncic and Reaves have been there. His interview with Mason & Ireland earlier this summer was the best example of that.
Grimes said: "[Opportunity was] really one of the biggest selling points. ... [I'm] coming in to have a pretty big offensive role within the team, but also having a big leadership role on defense as well."
Stats and award predictions for Quentin Grimes in 2026-27
Let us rip a quick band-aid off: Grimes will not win any major NBA awards in the upcoming season. Nor should honors like the All-Star team come his way. That is all A-okay.
Grimes is in Los Angeles to effectively be a strong role player. That should come with individual success. It just will not be in the form of awards and accolades.
Playing next to Doncic and Reaves should get him healthy statistical numbers, though. While defenses focus on those two major offensive threats, Grimes will receive weaker perimeter coverage by comparison. That should help him deliver a strong offensive season.
The ballpark of what Grimes' 2026-27 stats could look like next season: 15.0 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, 3.5 assists per game, 1.0 steal per game, 0.5 blocks per game.
The bottom line with Quentin Grimes
Grimes came to Los Angeles seeking opportunity, and he should get it. The Lakers will feature him, and ask the former first-round pick to be a big part of their championship formula.
With his key connections to Doncic and Redick, two of the most important figures of the franchise, Grimes should be poised for success. Projecting a career year for him is not unfair by any means.
If the Lakers are going to maintain a level of success similar to what they have delivered over the past couple of seasons, maximizing Grimes' role within the team will be important. The pressure is quietly there, but so are the reasons as to why it should all work out for him and Los Angeles in the end.
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