NBA Notes: Sixers, Quentin Grimes, Kings, Keegan Murray, Lakers

76ers

Quentin Grimes officially taking the qualifying offer ended the NBA’s longest contract standoff of the offseason.

Grimes’ 3-and-D skill set made him one of the more intriguing restricted free agents on the market, but that late-season breakout in Philly didn’t translate to a big offer sheet.

As Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes, team president Daryl Morey prefers to let the market dictate value. And with little cap space available league-wide, there wasn’t much incentive for anyone to overpay.

On top of that, the Sixers already have massive financial commitments to Paul George and Joel Embiid, plus rookie-scale shooting guard depth in Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe. Giving Grimes a hefty long-term deal could have created problems later.

Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals over 28 games last season, but one exec told Pompey those numbers came during a tanking stretch and should be viewed with context.

Kings

Keegan Murray’s role shifted last season, but he’s entering training camp feeling energized under coach Doug Christie.

“I feel like there’s more movement going around, which we didn’t have last year,” Murray said, via Sean Cunningham of KCRA News.

With Dennis Schroder, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk and Domantas Sabonis commanding touches, Murray’s usage dipped last year. His shot attempts fell from 12.7 to 10.8 per game and his usage rate dropped to a career-low 15.0%.

This season, he says he’s being used more in transition and off movement, which should help him find a rhythm. Christie wants him shooting 10 threes a night — less a hard quota and more a message to stay aggressive.

Schroder’s arrival should also ease Murray’s defensive load, letting him focus on top perimeter scorers without chasing point guards all night.

Lakers

The Lakers have retooled the roster, but the fifth starting spot remains up for grabs, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report writes.

Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura and Jake LaRavia are the main contenders.

Hachimura brings familiarity and consistent shooting (41.8% from deep over the last two seasons). LaRavia offers defensive energy and a reliable jumper. Smart brings toughness on the perimeter — something any Luka Doncic–LeBron James–Austin Reaves lineup needs.

Jarred Vanderbilt could be a dark-horse option, though health and fit will dictate how this shakes out.