The Los Angeles Lakers traded Gabe Vincent and a second-round draft pick to acquire Luke Kennard before the deadline, and dumping the veteran guard keeps looking better for LA. Kennard’s floor spacing has helped jumpstart the purple and gold. He is shooting over 46 percent from 3-point range and playing a key role in the Lakers’ nine-game win streak. Vincent has been a disaster in Atlanta.
The Hawks have won 12 of their last 13 with Vincent playing in every contest. It sounds strong, but the veteran is shooting 35.4 percent from the field and 27.5 percent on his threes during that stretch. Sadly, things keep getting worse. He is one of his last ten from 3-point range, and the Hawks have lost his last 101 minutes by 40 points. This is a team on a win streak that has primarily played inferior competition.
Lakers fans know the Gabe Vincent frustrations well. He struggled to make shots and never lived up to the hype of his three-year, $33 million deal. LA thought they were getting a high-quality role player, but the idea was greater than the production. With Kennard thriving and Vincent hitting new lows, this trade looks genius for Rob Pelinka and the Lakers.
Lakers vindicated for Luke Kennard trade as Gabe Vincent hits new low
In his first 14 games with the Hawks, Atlanta has a 125.1 defensive rating and a negative-6.2 net rating with him on the floor. They are 8.7 points per 100 possessions better when he goes to the bench and have a positive net rating without Vincent. The problems that had Lakers fans pulling their hair out are even worse in Atlanta.
The 29-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason and may be playing for his NBA career down the stretch. Since joining the Lakers in 2024, Vincent has averaged 5.4 points, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per game. He has shot 37.7 percent from the field and 33.3 percent on his long-distance attempts. The defensive struggles only make things worse, and may leave Vincent without a franchise this summer.
Since the trade, the Lakers are 15-6 and continue to heat up. Kennard is playing a key role off the bench and providing floor spacing that Vincent simply couldn’t. The trade was a win, even if the veteran sharpshooter departs in free agency this summer.
The Lakers look like a serious title threat thanks to Luka Doncic. He deserves more credit for the team’s transformation. Doncic is playing like the MVP and has the purple and gold fully locked in. None of that would be possible with Vincent shooting 30 percent from 3-point range and struggling to guard on the perimeter. His struggles have only gotten worse in Atlanta, and it continues to be the last thing a championship contender needs coming off the bench.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been completely vindicated for the Luke Kennard trade by Gabe Vincent’s struggles. Fans were questioning why LA gave up a draft pick without getting defensive help. It turns out, they didn’t need it. Kennard has been the ideal fit, and Vincent has played worse for the Hawks. Mark this down as a massive win for Rob Pelinka and the Lakers.