The Los Angeles Lakers will be active and aggressive ahead of the trade deadline, and Gabe Vincent’s play all but guarantees that he will be sent out in whatever deal Rob Pelinka makes. The guard is shooting under 40 percent from the field, and the Lakers have an abysmal 120.8 defensive rating with Vincent on the floor. He has played in just seven of the first 18 games, but Los Angeles fans know what to expect at this point.
The Lakers signed Vincent in 2023 to be the player who helped the Heat to the NBA Finals. He played over 30 minutes per game in the playoffs, where he thrived as a shooter, defender, and playmaker. LA wanted to contend and figured Vincent would fill a key role for them.
It hasn’t happened in Los Angeles. There have been injuries, but the subpar play when on the floor is more concerning. The Lakers would love to trade his expiring contract, but the value simply isn’t there. He will have to be part of a larger trade where the franchise dumps him on a rebuilding team willing to eat the remaining months of his contract.
Gabe Vincent is playing his way directly off the Lakers
The 29-year-old is averaging 3.7 points, 1.6 assists, and 0.6 steals in 21.3 minutes per game so far this season. Over his three forgettable years with the Lakers, his numbers are slightly better. He averaged 5.8 points, 1.4 assists, and 0.7 steals. Sadly, he has shot 38.9 percent from the field and 33.4 percent on his 3-point attempts.
Vincent has produced a negative value over replacement player (VORP) for the third straight year. His 2023 playoff run with the Heat looks like an aberration. In his four seasons in Miami, Vincent produced a negative-1.1 VORP, and he has matched that over his three years in Los Angeles.
The Lakers have their sights set on being title contenders, but they have the ball-handling locked up. Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves will run the offense. Los Angeles needs floor spacers that are comfortable attacking off closeouts and playing stout defense. Vincent doesn’t fit. He is not turning back into the Heat’s playoff starter. All the Lakers can do is move on.
He is making $11.5 million this season, which could be crucial in making a trade. The Lakers are hard capped at the first apron and sit just $1.1 million below it. There is only a little wiggle room in making deals. Rob Pelinka will need the salary to match, and Vincent’s deal figures to play a key role in that.
The Los Angeles Lakers have three superstars leading their roster. They just need the right role players to be serious contenders. Gabe Vincent doesn’t fit. Expect the Lakers to explore every deal. Nothing will match last season’s blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic, but the perfect deal could set them up to make a deep playoff run. The ball is in Pelinka’s court to make it happen.
