Lakers signing 146-game starting veteran guard to $60 million contract

Lakers signing 146-game starting veteran guard to $60 million contract originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Los Angeles Lakers are having an active Day 2 of NBA free agency.

After striking an agreement with the Utah Jazzon a sign-and-trade for center Walker Kessler, the Lakers are also signing Philadelphia 76ers free agent guard Quentin Grimes to a four-year deal worth $60 million.

The news comes from ESPN’s Shams Charania.

“Free agent guard Quentin Grimes has agreed to a four-year, $60 million to join the Los Angeles Lakers, with a player option, sources tell ESPN,” Charania reported.

Why Lakers are signing Quentin Grimes

UPDATE: Los Angeles has also signed Sandro Mamukelashvili and guard Colin Sexton. Rob Pelinka is making moves today.

Grimes is a fantastic 3-and-D player who fits what the Lakers need in a role player next to Luka Doncic.

Though he isn’t an elite three-point shooter, Grimes can knock down open shots and has a career three-point percentage of 36.6%. The 26-year-old has also been very durable over the last two seasons, which goes a long way in this league.

And of course, Grimes’ perimeter defense is what makes this signing a great one for Los Angeles. The Houston native is tenacious and incredibly savvy on that end, and his versatile defensive skill set is much needed in the Lakers’ backcourt.

Overall, getting Grimes on a $15 million-per-season deal is tremendous value. The Kansas product should immediately step in as a key piece to JJ Redick’s rotation and add quality depth in the backcourt behind Doncic and Austin Reaves.