Quentin Grimes is ready to compete for a starting spot

EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Quentin Grimes #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 28, 2026 at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Aside from Walker Kessler’s four-year, $130 million deal, the largest contract the Los Angeles Lakers handed out to an external free agent this summer went to Quentin Grimes, who signed a four-year, $60 million deal. With two open spots available in the starting lineup to join Kessler, Reaves and Luka Dončić, the Lakers will likely hope one of their biggest money signings of the offseason can solidify himself as a member of that quintet.

Other than Grimes, candidates to earn a starting spot on the wing are players like Jake LaRavia looking to rebound from a tough second half in 2026-27, Ziare Williams trying to fully break through in the NBA and Matisse Thybulle aiming to put a few injury-riddled years behind him. Grimes is embracing that spirit of competition and believes it will ultimately benefit the Lakers.

“You want to be competitive every day in practice. I want to fight for [a starting spot], I want to earn it,” Grimes said. “You don’t want anything handed to you or given out to you. So, I feel like having that competition aspect to go out there and try to fight for a starting spot is going to be big for our team.”

Beyond his floor-spacing and ability to attack closeouts, Grimes was signed for his point-of-attack defense. While he didn’t flourish in that area as much during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, it was perhaps his greatest skill back when he played for the New York Knicks and he sounds ready to set the tone defensively for a Lakers roster that certainly skews toward the offensive side of the floor.

“I feel like I take a lot of pride defensively…Everybody wants to have responsibility, whatever it is on the court, and mine happens to be defensively,” Grimes said. “I know what I’m capable of offensively and they know that as well.

“So, just to be able to know that and guard the best player every night, take on that challenge, want to be competitive, want to do whatever I can to help this team win. That’s all I want is that responsibility.”

You can follow Jackson on Twitter at @jackfrank_jjf.