The Los Angeles Lakers believed Quentin Grimes was worth the payday the Philadelphia 76ers never gave him. They forked over $60 million over the next four years, putting real pressure on Grimes to play up to that kind of money after a mildly disappointing 2025-26 campaign.
One of the main reasons people were low on him, and even called his new contract an overpay, was the defensive end. Grimes had a down year on that side of the basketball court in Philadelphia, and there will be no shortage of hefty responsibilities on that end in Los Angeles.
Thankfully for the Lakers, a fresh start is bringing refocused intent on Grimes' part. An interview with Mason and Ireland of ESPN LA pointed to that resolve to be an impactful defender once more. The 26-year-old is ready to deliver what Luka Doncic will need beside him.
"[I'm] taking on that challenge. ... Being a point of attack defender that I am, have been for my four or five years in the NBA. [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."
Quentin Grimes is ready to be the point of attack defender beside Luka Doncic
Marcus Smart thrived at the point of attack for the Lakers defense last season. His full-time elevation to the starting lineup helped solidfy the second-half turnaround for Los Angeles in 2025-26.
Grimes projects to be a starter for the Lakers next season, based on how the roster is coming together. It is safe to assume JJ Redick and the coaching staff are just as bought in on the idea of him being the guy who can challenge opposing teams' offensive initiators.
In his interview with ESPN LA, Grimes expressed his desire to be 'super prepared' to take on the challenge of guarding the best players. For better or worse, that is where the new Lakers guard will find himself.
Doncic is more suited to guarding forwards due to his size and strength. Austin Reaves is better on defense than given credit for, but the Lakers star can get exposed in isolation settings. Larger wings and big men aside, Grimes will be the man that Los Angeles turns to for effective containment of the other team's best option from the backcourt.
In 2024-25, during their brief sample size with the Dallas Mavericks before both players relocated, Doncic and Grimes posted a net rating of 11.1 in their 228 minutes together on the court. That included a defensive rating of 109.5.
The Lakers will be hoping Grimes can rediscover that magic with Doncic in their second stint together. Thriving at the point of attack on defense will be a great start to that.
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