Gabe Vincent came to the Los Angeles Lakers with expectations. Not superstar-level expectations, but enough to believe he would at least be a solid, reliable piece in the backcourt. So far, it clearly has not worked out that way.
He has not played well. He has not shot the ball well. At this point, the version of Vincent who had the freedom to create and play with rhythm with the Miami Heat is gone. That role doesn’t exist on this roster.
With LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves running most of the offense, there is no real room for Vincent to be a ball-dominant guard. He is not going to get the same touches he had with the Heat.
As Jovan Buha put it, he is probably sixth in the offensive hierarchy. Realistically, that number may be even lower.
Gabe Vincent’s only path forward is becoming a catch-and-shoot player
The answer is pretty clear. The only way Vincent stays on the floor is by becoming the kind of player the Lakers actually need. A catch-and-shoot guy who does not force the issue. A low-maintenance guard who defends his position and hits open threes.
That means his shooting has to take a real step forward. He has always been willing to fire, ranking in the top percentile of three-point attempts last year. Vincent just has not been efficient. He hit 35.3 percent from deep, which is fine but not enough when the bulk of his value is tied to those shots.
This team can’t afford “just okay” shooting from a guard who is not creating or breaking down defenses. The Lakers need shooting that creates space for stars. Shooting that punishes defenses for collapsing. Vincent has not given them that yet.
There is also the Marcus Smart factor now that he is on this roster, as the pressure ramps up. Smart defends better. He is a lot more physical.
While he has never been a great shooter from beyond the arc, he has a defined role that coaches trust. Vincent’s role? It’s fading fast unless something changes.
There are younger, longer players in the mix now, too. Jake LaRavia, Adou Thiero, and even Dalton Knecht (if he can bounce back). Those guys are hungry, and they know they need to step up and fast.
This is not the role Vincent probably imagined when he signed, but at this point, it is the only one left. If he does not fully embrace it soon, he might find himself on the outside looking in.