Quentin Grimes had plenty of reasons to join the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, but one stood above the rest.
The 26-year-old guard signed a four-year, $60 million contract with Los Angeles, securing a long-term deal and an opportunity to play alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
However, it was his relationship with Lakers head coach JJ Redick that ultimately convinced him to make the move.
“He was the main selling point,” Grimes said, according to Andscape’s Marc J. Spears. “I saw the [offensive] freedom he gave guys the last two years. Being a part of that offense will be a great opportunity for me to take my game to the next level and hopefully take my team to the next level as well.”
The connection between Grimes and Redick dates back to 2023, when Grimes was playing for the New York Knicks.
Former Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau encouraged Grimes to contact Redick, who was working as an ESPN analyst at the time, for advice on developing his game.
What started as a basketball relationship eventually developed into a close friendship, something Grimes believes will make playing under Redick even easier.
“Just having him from a friend aspect, just checking in, tapping in with me,” Grimes told Spears. “Checking the games. Asking how my people were doing, how I’m doing. I’m asking how he is doing, how is his wife doing, how are the kids doing. So, when you have that friend aspect of it and that real human aspect of it, it makes it easier to play for a coach like that.”
Grimes now enters a Lakers team looking to build around Doncic, with an opportunity to establish himself as a key contributor on both ends of the floor.
His preseason performances have strengthened his case for a starting role alongside Doncic, Reaves and Walker Kessler.
However, Redick has yet to confirm his final starting five ahead of the regular season, with two positions still up for grabs.
For Grimes, the opportunity to develop under a coach he already trusts could prove just as valuable as the $60 million contract that brought him to Los Angeles.
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