Quentin Grimes is walking into a situation with the Lakers that looks a lot friendlier to his game than what he dealt with in Philadelphia.
After the 76ers moved early this offseason, it was clear keeping the 26-year-old guard wasn’t part of their plan. Grimes then landed a four-year, $60 million deal with the Lakers, where he’ll reunite with Luka Doncic. And after a down season with the 76ers, that change of scenery could matter.
Grimes was a regular part of Philadelphia’s rotation last season, logging nearly 30 minutes per night. Even with that workload, his numbers settled at 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. He shot 45 percent from the field, but his three-point mark fell to 33.4 percent, and the long ball became a shaky part of his night-to-night production.
The issue wasn’t just Grimes. The 76ers didn’t give him much room to breathe.
Philadelphia finished the regular season in the bottom third of the league in all three-point shooting metrics, including attempts, makes, and conversion rate. That kind of spacing makes life hard for a guard trying to get clean looks, especially when defenses know he’s one of the few real threats from deep.
That’s where the Lakers may offer a better setup. Their contender status next season is still highly dubious, but from a shooting standpoint, they look much stronger on paper. Along with Grimes, they’ve added Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jaden Hardy, and Cameron Carr, giving them more firepower from beyond the arc than they’ve had in years.
That should help Grimes in a few ways. Defenses won’t be able to key on him quite as easily at the three-point line, which could give him cleaner catch-and-shoot chances. It could also create more room for him to attack the rim and operate as a finisher and rim-runner.
Philadelphia won’t necessarily second-guess moving on from him, even if he takes off in Los Angeles. But if Grimes does bounce back, it will be a reminder that role players need the right environment to really show what they can do.
In Other News...
Dwyane Wade Revealed Why LeBron Picked The 76ers Over Miami
LeBron James move to Philadelphia immediately changed the conversation around the Eastern Conference, and Dwyane Wades read on it only adds another layer to the decision. Wade said James approached his next step with a championship lens, viewing the 76ers as the spot that gave him the clearest path to contend after leaving the Lakers, even with Miami still in the mix as a possible return.
For a franchise that has spent years trying to keep itself in the title chase, landing a player of James stature is a massive swing, and Wade framed it as a choice driven by timing as much as comfort. Miami had history on its side, but Philadelphia offered something different: a more immediate opportunity, and the kind of opening that can reshape the balance of power before the season even settles in. [Read more 🡒]
Sixers Suddenly Have A Center Problem Worth Watching In New York
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For the Sixers, the question is less about the Knicks than about what happens if the current mix behind Joel Embiid does not hold up. Philadelphia is leaning on Embiid and younger options at the position right now, but if the internal answers do not satisfy the staff, free agency remains part of the conversation. A camp battle in New York might not seem like much in August, yet it could quietly shape the list of names Philadelphia watches most closely. [Read more 🡒]
Sixers Have A Camp Battle That Matters More Than It Should
The Sixers may have bigger roster questions on the horizon, but the backup center spot is already shaping up as one of the more interesting camp battles. Adem Bona, the 2024 second-round pick, flashed real rim protection last season and will try to turn that into a steadier, more versatile role. On the other side is Ariel Hukporti, who arrived on a one-year deal after helping the Knicks win a championship and brings the same kind of shot-blocking presence with a different developmental track.
For a team that has to think beyond the regular-season rotation, this is more than a simple reserve-center debate. Nick Nurse will ultimately sort through the options, and there are other names in the mix for postseason minutes, including Dominick Barlow and Dean Wade, but the first question is which young big can earn trust first. Bona is still working on consistency, Hukporti on expanding his offensive package, and the answer could matter more than a typical camp competition should for a team trying to build reliable depth. [Read more 🡒]