Quentin Grimes is ready to compete for a starting spot

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.