Grading every LA Lakers move in free agency, including Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler

Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Collin Sexton have all joined the purple and gold.

Meanwhile, Austin Reaves has signed a lucrative, long-term contract to stay in LA for the remainder of his prime.

NBA Analysis Network has graded the Lakers’ five free agency moves, and there are no A’s for general manager Rob Pelinka.

Every LA Lakers free agency move graded

Austin Reaves: 4 years, $158 million

The Lakers could not afford to lose Reaves and James in the same offseason, so they reluctantly offered the shooting guard a huge deal.

The 28-year-old will be an excellent second scoring option behind Luka Doncic, averaging around 25 points per game.

However, a backcourt of Reaves and Doncic almost guarantees that the Lakers will struggle defensively.

Even though he was an essential signing, Reaves’ $158 million deal will probably look like an overpay unless the Lakers contend.

Grade: B–

Collin Sexton: 2 years, $19 million 

Collin Sexton is one of the best backup point guards in the NBA, and the Lakers are paying him less than $10m per year.

He will provide great spacing alongside Doncic or Reaves, having shot around 40 percent from three last season.

The only issue with Sexton’s fit with the Lakers is that he is another offensive-minded guard, and they sorely lack defense.

Grade: B

Quentin Grimes: 4 years, $60 million

Former Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes is the Lakers’ best free agent signing, as he ticks so many boxes.

Grimes is not only a reliable scorer and three-point shooter but also an underrated perimeter defender.

The 26-year-old has experience playing alongside Doncic with the Dallas Mavericks, and he aligns with the Lakers’ timeline.

If only Grimes were slightly bigger and more athletic, his four-year, $60m deal would have deserved an A grade.

Grade: B+

Sandro Mamukelashvili: 4 years, $52 million

Sandro Mamukelashvili just had the best season of his five-year NBA career with the Toronto Raptors.

He averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 52.9% from the field and 38.9% from three.

At six-foot-nine, Mamukelashvili’s size is exactly what the Lakers needed to replace LeBron James in the frontcourt.

Just like Reaves and Sexton, the power forward’s biggest weakness is his defense, which is far from ideal.

Grade: B-

Walker Kessler: 4 years, $130 million; 2 first-round picks & 2 pick swaps

The Lakers have been searching for a starting center since Anthony Davis joined the Mavericks in the Doncic trade.

Walker Kessler is exactly what they needed: a rim protector and lob threat entering his prime.

However, it is impossible to overlook the remarkable trade package and contract the Lakers gave up to acquire him.

Is Kessler worth two first-round picks, two pick swaps, and more than $30m per year? Highly unlikely, to say the least.

Grade: C+