How Gabe Vincent fits next to LeBron James on the Lakers

Gabe Vincent can be a system player on offense for the Lakers

It does not take long to realize that the best offense with LeBron James runs through him. While a traditional NBA offense expects the point guard to orchestrate the plays, the best fit next to LeBron is productive regardless of their control.

Even though LeBron’s longtime running mate Kyrie Irving is a phenomenal threat with the ball in his hands, he managed to adapt and execute off-ball plays with his swift speed and determined decision-making.

That is what succeeding next to LeBron James takes – an adaptive mindset. In Los Angeles, the Lakers tend to run offenses through any one of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, or a guard. Thankfully, Vincent has extensive experience in this sort of system.

In Miami, Vincent played next to both Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, two players who often function as facilitators on the court. This style of play taught Vincent to be effective with or without the ball in his possession. Similar to his defensive playstyle, Gabe Vincent constantly moves around the floor to find the best opportunities when the time calls for it. He can control his flow within the offense without disrupting anyone else.

Through four seasons, Vincent has shot 33.9 percent on career 3-point attempts and averaged 2.3 assists per game, per Basketball Reference. These stats come on an average of 21 minutes played per night.

Additionally, 49.4 percent of Gabe Vincent’s field goal attempts came within two seconds of receiving the pass last season, on which he earned a 51.3 percent effective field goal percentage (eFG%). Vincent may not be a deadshot anywhere on the court, but his ability to find his shot through off-ball movement allows the Lakers to continue moving their offense through their star duo.

Rival teams cannot ignore Gabe Vincent on either side of the ball. His offense is not that of an All-Star, but lazy defenses will be punished by overcommitting to LeBron on a drive or Davis in the post. Playing in the backcourt next to Reaves puts two dangerous shooters on the floor alongside two all-time greats who perform best with long-range shooters surrounding them.

Adding Vincent to the guard rotation with D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves gives the Lakers what may be the best depth chart in their backcourt since LeBron James’ arrival to the purple and gold.