6 Lakers who could get axed from Darvin Ham's playoff rotation
By Tyler Watts
3. Gabe Vincent
It is between Vincent and Dinwiddie for the backup point guard role. The Lakers will have to limit the minutes with D’Angelo Russell and Vincent sharing the backcourt as both are just 6’3 and could create problems for their defense. LA is 15th in defensive rating this season and cannot afford to give up any more points if they want to make a deep playoff run.
Vincent played in the first four games before a knee injury knocked him out for nearly five months. The 27-year-old just returned on March 31 and can play a maximum of 12 contests this season.
He was the team’s marquee addition in the 2023 offseason. Vincent was the Heat’s starting point guard during their sprint to the NBA Finals last season. LA knew that playoff experience would be valuable as they try to make a run of their own.
Gabe Vincent has played just 14 minutes per game since returning. How much can he ramp up before the playoffs? If the 6’3 guard can only handle limited minutes, coach Ham may decide to distribute that playing time elsewhere. Vincent has not been the same player in LA, but they hope the Heat version appears just in time for the playoffs. If not, he could be cut from their rotation.