The moment the Los Angeles Lakers signed Marcus Smart, they did not just add a player for defence; they added what should be their replacement for Gabe Vincent on the roster.
Lakers desperately needed the upgrade
This signing was not about overlap. It was about getting an upgrade. The role Vincent was brought in to fill, which was a tough and dependable 3-and-D guard with playoff experience, should fully be in Smart’s hands.
A couple of years ago, when the Lakers gave Vincent a three-year, $33 million deal in the summer of 2023, the vision was clear. He was fresh off an NBA Finals run with the Miami Heat, where he started games, hit big shots, and competed on both ends of the floor.
The Lakers expected him to bring that same edge to Los Angeles. Unfortunately for them, the version they got never matched the vision.
The harsh truth about Gabe Vincent’s Lakers stint
Vincent’s first year in Los Angeles was defined by injury. He played just 11 games while managing a knee issue. Even last season, when healthy, he rarely made an impact.
Across 72 games, Vincent averaged just 6.4 points, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 rebounds while shooting 40 percent from the field. Some of his games were truly a tough watch, and let’s just say he had some moments that were forgettable.
Vincent's high points of last season included some good defensive spurts, but the truth is, he has never consistently been able to pressure the ball or create disruption. In five NBA seasons, he has never averaged even one steal per game.
That is where Smart comes in and immediately changes the conversation.
Marcus Smart is everything Gabe Vincent was supposed to be
Smart averaged 1.1 steals in just 18.7 minutes per game last season with the Washington Wizards. More than that, he plays with urgency.
He is a defensive monster that will certainly fight through every screen and every closeout. There is no doubt that he will give his all each and every night he steps onto the floor.
Not only is he a good defender. He is a tone-raiser. He's the kind of player who holds everyone else accountable.
On top of his defensive presence, Smart added 9.3 points and 2.5 assists last season, while shooting 39 percent from three for the Wizards. Those were all categories where he did better than Vincent.
Now the rotation is clear. With Smart in the fold and Bronny James continuing to grow, there is no longer an obvious place for Vincent.