Lakers urged to reunite Luka Doncic with $8.7 million ex-Mavericks fan-favorite guard

“He's probably gettable for slightly above the mid-level exception. The (Philadelphia) 76ers tend to prefer ducking the tax, and such a deal would take them above the line even before considering a new deal for Kelly Oubre Jr.”

Grimes and Doncic were teammates in Dallas during the 2024-25 season. Of course, their partnership was ultimately cut short, as the Mavericks traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and Grimes to the 76ers before the deadline.

Grimes’ confident off-the-dribble/catch-and-shoot shotmaking helped him start his fifth campaign on a positive note, as he averaged a then-career best 10.2 points on 46.3% field goal shooting and 39.8% three-point shooting in 47 games with the Mavericks.

Grimes carried that momentum into the second half of the year, resulting in a head-turning 21.9 points per game average with the 76ers (he connected on 46.9% of his field goals and 37.3% of his long-range jump shots.

In 75 games with Philadelphia this season, the Houston product contributed 13.4 points nightly while shooting 45.0% from the field and 33.4% from three.

If the Lakers express interest in signing a second-unit spark plug who can positively alter games instantly, they should look no further than Grimes this summer.

More NBA news:

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• NBA insider reveals Luka Doncic reason Lakers could lose Giannis Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes
• Lakers-Wizards trade pitch sends $186 million 10-time All-Star, NBA champion back to Los Angeles