As the 2025 NBA trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Lakers are entering the most essential stage of the Gabe Vincent saga. Vincent's tenure thus far has unfortunately been defined by injuries and inconsistency, but it's far easier to be critical than it is to outright give up on a player's value.
Whether fortunately or unfortunately, Vincent is giving the Lakers reason to think twice about parting ways ahead of the trade deadline.
Vincent has been undeniably erratic in 2024-25, with the only true form of consistency being inefficiency on offense. His defensive quality has been invaluable off the bench, but the lack of ideal production has proven detrimental to team success.
Thus far in 2024-25, Vincent is averaging just 4.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.8 steals in 19.6 minutes per game, shooting at a clip of .392/.308/.500.
Vincent has seemingly turned a corner since Dec. 1, however, putting together a scattered collection of strong showings on offense. That includes a visible sense of confidence in his offensive game, which is thus holding opponents accountable in a way they previously weren't.
For better or worse, Vincent is beginning to look like the player the Lakers initially wanted—making a trade deadline decision even more difficult to process.
Gabe Vincent is finally stepping up for the Lakers on offense
Over the course of his first 19 appearances, Vincent was averaging 2.8 points, 0.9 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.5 three-point field goals made per game on .313/.209/.333 shooting. It was the primary source of the belief that Los Angeles should move on from his $33 million contract.
Over his past 17 games, however, Vincent has increased those numbers to 6.5 points, 1.8 assists, 1.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.4 three-point field goals made per game on .444/.375/.750 shooting.
Those might not be mind-blowing numbers, but they represent a significant step forward in both production and efficiency. He's shooting the three-ball with more regularity and efficacy, and the rest of his game is rounding into form accordingly.
After failing to score at least 10 points in any of his first 19 games, he's now done so five times over the past 17—including two of his three most recent outings.
It's a small sample size, but Los Angeles is now 4-1 when Vincent scores at least 10 points. Perhaps that speaks to a general need for consistency off the bench, which Rob Pelinka could acquire at the trade deadline.
When Vincent is on his game, however, he's a legitimate two-way player who brings value to the team on both ends of the floor.
That type of value could prove essential for a Lakers team that's struggling to find answers on defense. It's currently 23rd in opponent three-point field goal percentage and 24th in defensive rating, but it posts its best mark in the latter when Vincent is on the court.
The question is: Can the Lakers afford to gamble on Vincent sustaining this progress and eventually discovering true two-way consistency?