Can Quentin Grimes Become a 6MOTY Candidate with Lakers?

After a revamp of their roster, the 7-foot-2 Walker Kessler headlines the incoming Los Angeles Lakers. However, Quentin Grimes might be LA’s X-factor as they prepare for life after LeBron James. The 26-year-old has already played alongside Luka Dončić during a stint with the Mavericks in the 2024-2025 season, so he has an advantage in terms of fit heading into next season.

It’s expected that he’ll make a big splash on offense. The only question is how big?

Finding Quentin Grimes’ Perfect Role

Grimes’ skill set can make him the perfect sixth man off the bench. He can provide a spark if Dončić and Austin Reaves are ever both sitting, but he also has the versatility to play alongside either star as the second option in certain lineups.

As a three-level scorer, he’ll fix many of the problems the Lakers had last season, including their bench scoring. They finished their second consecutive 50-win season ranked 29th in bench points. So, it’s clear the Lakers will hit another level once their bench comes to life.

This is why signing Grimes was so vital. Although Collin Sexton and Sandro Mamukelashvili both averaged double-digit points for their respective ball clubs, Quentin has the most lethal scoring potential.

If his shot isn’t falling, he’s driving to the rim, and his aggression is the key to taking over the second unit. Last March, he averaged outstanding numbers for the seventh-seeded Philadelphia 76ers. 

Despite his aforementioned skill set, pundits remain skeptical about what the Lakers will accomplish next season.

Grimes’ Growth Is Important the Future

A couple of weeks ago, highly respected hoops head Zach Lowe gave his opinion on Hollywood’s championship hopefuls.

“They look like a team that has next to no chance to beat the Thunder and Spurs in a playoff series in the next 2-3 years, and almost no outs at all to change their team, other than trading Austin Reaves in two years when this doesn’t work out… this is an unbelievable reach for Walker Kessler,” Lowe said on his podcast, The Zach Lowe Show.

It may seem harsh, but with the Spurs and Thunder taking over the Western Conference, it’s purely realistic. Teams like those two championship contenders always have key figures off the bench, whether it’s a 6MOTY in Keldon Johnson or a two-time champion in Alex Caruso.

So, for Quentin Grimes to show his true worth in the long term, this is his ideal lane. He will have to be more aggressive than he’s ever been to help push the Lakers to the next level. It’s up to him to validate the expectations or shorten his tenure in LA.

Everyone knows how cut-throat the Lakers’ front office can be, especially after letting Rui Hachimura walk in free agency.

The majority of the fanbase were disgruntled by Hachimura leaving, given that he had a solid regular season performance and a strong playoff run. Hachimura decided to move across town to join the Clippers in the Intuit Dome.

No matter, as Rui’s Purple and Golden opportunity with the Lakers ends, a new one has been created for Grimes. We just have to wait and see if he’ll be a reliable replacement.