Few players have become more polarizing on the Los Angeles Lakers than Gabe Vincent. Most readily acknowledge his defensive quality, but injuries and inconsistency have prevented the 28-year-old from rediscovering the form that made him a hot commodity in 2023.
Thankfully, Vincent has quietly begun to play at the level that the Lakers initially paid him for—and it coudn't come at a better time.
Vincent finished his final season with the Miami Heat with averages of 9.4 points, 2.5 assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.7 three-point field goals made in 25.9 minutes per game. While certainly not a dominant scoring threat, he was a willing shooter who could create for himself and defend at a high level.
Unfortunately, thus far in 2024-25, Vincent is averaging just 5.6 points, 1.4 assists, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.3 three-point field goals made in 20.2 minutes per contest.
Beyond the numbers, there have been agonizing bouts with an apparent refusal to shoot the ball. It's been the most frustrating element of Vincent's Lakers career, as a big selling point when he was signed was that he scored 20-plus points in five different games during the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
Thankfully, Vincent is beginning to look like the Miami version of himself on both ends of the floor, including a more aggressive approach on offense.
Gabe Vincent seems to have found his confidence again on offense
Vincent failed to score at least 10 points in any of his first 19 appearances in 2024-25, averaging just 2.8 points in 16.7 minutes per game. He scored 10-plus in three of his next eight games, but quickly came back down to the point of minimal production.
Over his past 14 appearances, however, Vincent is averaging 8.8 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.1 three-point field goals made in 22.7 minutes per game, shooting at a clip of .445/.365/.750.
Vincent has scored at least 10 points in seven of those 14 games, including a recent stretch of four straight appearances with at least 11. He's struggled over the Lakers' past three outings, but is remaining aggressive, attempting 16 threes across those showings.
That's exactly what Los Angeles needs from Vincent moving forward: A commitment to spacing the floor and creating offense, even if his shot isn't falling.
The Lakers are 9-1 this season when Vincent scores at least 10 points and 12-4 when he attempts at least five three-point field goals. It may be a small sample size, but it's a reflection of how much better Los Angeles is when its primary backup guard is putting pressure on opposing defenses.
Vincent improves spacing and has the added benefit of being able to both drive to the basket or pull up from midrange when his lanes are cut off.
Compounded by his excellent individual and team defense, Vincent is living up to the hype he received when he first signed. Opponents are shooting 2.7 percent worse when he's the primary defender, and the Lakers are allowing 2.3 fewer points per 100 possessions when he's on the court.
Throw in the fact that Vincent is knocking down 38.8 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes and the Lakers finally have the player they initially paid for.
