Luka Dealt to Lakers: Nico Harrison is a Basketball Terrorist

[F Gump]

Before Luka was dealt, I worried about Grimes.  For me, Grimes' talent exceeded his minutes, but, either JKidd didn't agree or knew they weren't keeping him.  Is he gone because he didn't sign an extension, they had no intention of signing him to a large contract or because they traded for a better player?

In a way, it was all 3 imo....
1 Is he gone because he didn't sign an extension --- an extension for the number they felt was the right one? Yes
2 they had no intention of signing him to a large contract --- Yes
3 or because they traded for a better player? --- Probably, but at least a player they felt was worth having on their payroll, who could fit in that $9M or so salary slot
I think there was also reason 4 - they felt Christie was a better player, who would be replacing Grimes and getting his minutes, at about half the expected price for Grimes.

They are working to stay under the Apron 2 line, and it's going to be hard. The MLE of 14M would essentially make it impossible, so they proactively found a player they like who can be on the payroll for 5M less. Hopefully Martin will also prove to be a better player than Grimes.