With questions piling up regarding the Los Angeles Lakers and their offseason potential, the Lakers have kept their core intact and added to their depth. It seems that no blockbuster names will be flying to play in LA, but every signing thus far has fit the Lakers’ needs without losing their current identity.
At the 2023 NBA trade deadline, the City of Angels welcomed an almost entirely new bench squad and fought their way from the Play-In Tournament to the Western Conference Finals where they lost to the eventual NBA Champions Denver Nuggets.
By targeting depth at the trade deadline, the Lakers overcame a lackluster early season and bolstered their fit around star teammates LeBron James and Anthony Davis. While bringing in a third star was an alluring offer, the Lakers won the 2020 Finals with a similar build of steady and reliable role players filling out the roster around their two-star model.
The Lakers had numerous valuable members of their postseason campaign head into free agency with other suitors interested in their talents. With Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura entering restricted free agency, starting point guard D’Angelo Russell headed into the unrestricted free agency pool. All three of them came back to LA within the first two days of free agency on contracts that allowed the Lakers to retain their flexibility to attract more talent.
These signings leave the Lakers up for a great upcoming season. Austin Reaves’ return will be monumental if Los Angeles hopes to make the most of LeBron’s final years.
Among the newest Los Angeles residents is 27-year-old point guard Gabe Vincent of the Eastern Conference Champions Miami Heat.
Free agent guard Gabe Vincent has agreed on a three-year, $33 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Vincent’s agent, Bill Neff, negotiated the new deal for a tremendous undrafted success story.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2023
Gabe Vincent has a specific fit next to LeBron James on the Lakers.
Vincent joins the Lakers for the next three seasons earning an average of $11 million per year. Vincent’s contract absorbs the majority of the Lakers’ full Mid-Level Exception and will likely be the biggest new name joining the squad.
The NBA world has seen James next to a number of different point guards, including 8x NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving and recently 2017 MVP Russell Westbrook. Gabe Vincent is not a talent that surpasses either of them, but Vincent’s recent playoff performance showcased his talents on the big stage.
When Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is looking at potential acquisitions, a primary focus should be the fit next to All-Time NBA Legend LeBron James. Gabe Vincent will be the perfect role-player guard to complement what LeBron does best.