Lakers Target Grimes and Mamukelashvili in Free Agency

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to add guard Quentin Grimes and forward Sandro Mamukelashvili as free agency opens. Both players have been linked to the franchise by insiders Jake Fischer and Marc Stein. The Lakers have $50 million in cap space and a $29.5 million mid-level exception to fund the additions.

USA Today

Their cap space and mid-level exception let the Lakers add a wing and a front-court piece. Grimes averaged 13.4 points per game, shooting 45 % from the field and 33.4 % from three, and his defensive versatility fits a roster built around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Mamukelashvili averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists, shooting 52.3 % and 38.9 % from three, and his ability to play both power forward and center addresses Lakers’ interior upgrade priority. The Sixers have $17.1 million cap room before the luxury-tax line, $25.7 million under the first apron and $38.3 million under the second apron, with a payroll of $183.4 million. After signing forward Dean Wade to a four-year, $39 million contract, Sixers’ remaining non-taxpayer mid-level exception of $15 million limits their capacity to re-sign Grimes, who received a one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer.

USA Today

Sixers President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey said the organization was eager to retain Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr. before free agency opened. The Lakers have signaled a strategy to use their cap space and the $29.5 million mid-level exception to add a wing and a front-court player, complementing Luka Doncic and re-signed Austin Reaves.

Philly Voice

Grimes’ production declined, averaging six points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 30 % shooting in the Sixers’ playoff series. His regular-season output fell from a 16.9-point November surge to 13.4 points per game. Critics say the Sixers should prioritize Oubre, who posted 11.6 points and 5.8 rebounds in the postseason, over re-signing Grimes. The Lakers’ pursuit has been described as “operating as if Mamu and Quentin Grimes are done there,”

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Sources differ on Grimes’ expected salary, with some reports suggesting a $10 million annual deal while the Sixers’ qualifying offer was $8.7 million. No official confirmation from the Lakers has been released regarding contract terms.

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"The whole league is operating as if Mamu and Quentin Grimes are done there" — Harrison Faigen, Twitter

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“Chiming in on multiple reports, sources indicate Quentin Grimes will not be back in a 76ers uniform,” — Tony Jones, The Athletic

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“So Philly really needs another guard.” — Tony Jones, The Athletic

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“The growing anticipation leaguewide is that the Lakers ultimately secure commitments on new contracts from Toronto free agent Sandro Mamukelashvili and Philadelphia free agent Quentin Grimes while still pursuing their top summer target: Utah restricted free agent Walker Kessler,” — Marc Stein, NBA insider

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The Lakers aim to sign Grimes and Mamukelashvili days; Sixers will target a guard replacement before the July 1 free-agency deadline.

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