Revisiting what convinced the Lakers to sign Gabe Vincent in 2023

Fresh off of an appearance in the 2023 Western Conference Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers went all-in on creating depth behind a promising starting lineup. Los Angeles signed Jarred Vanderbilt to a four-year, $48 million extension and landed Gabe Vincent on a three-year, $33 million deal.

Unfortunately, injuries robbed the Lakers of their first season with a potentially deep second unit, as Vanderbilt and Vincent appeared in a combined 40 regular season games.

Fans are aware of what Vanderbilt brings to the table, as he's shown flashes of brilliance on the defensive end of the floor. He was also a key contributor to the team that reached the Conference Finals in 2022-23.

Vincent has played just 11 regular season games with the Lakers, however, and inevitably struggled to find his form come the playoffs—thus garnering an unfairly negative reputation entering 2024-25.

Before critics write Vincent off, however, it's important to remember why the Lakers signed him in the first place. He's one injury-plagued season removed from a pair of successful campaigns that earned him a three-year contract.

That includes 2022-23, when Vincent capped off a strong regular season with a postseason run that put him squarely in the spotlight.

A postseason run to remember

Vincent finished the 2022-23 regular season averaging 9.4 points, 2.5 assists, and 0.9 steals per game, and 13.1 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per 36 minutes. He established himself as a strong defensive guard and continued to produce at an admirable level for a complementary player on offense.

Once the lights began to shine a little brighter, Vincent displayed his true potential by elevating his game to an entirely different level—turning the 2023 NBA Playoffs into a coming-out party.

Vincent averaged 12.7 points, 3.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 2.3 three-point field goals made on 37.8 percent shooting from beyond the arc during the 2023 postseason. That only scratches the surface of what made him an appealing target in free agency, as he consistently elevated his game in crucial spots.

Vincent turned in six 20-point games during the 2023 NBA Playoffs, including 22 points in the close-out game against the Milwaukee Bucks and 29 in a Game 3 win over the Boston Celtics.

Vincent averaged 15.8 points per game during the Eastern Conference Finals, and dropped 23 points in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. Vincent also compiled the third-highest net rating of any Heat player who recorded at least 20 minutes that postseason.

For a Lakers team that has struggled to find consistent value in the playoffs beyond Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, Vincent could play a crucial role in 2024-25.

Meeting the Heat's standard on defense

Few players in Miami secure consistent playing time without performing at a high level on the defensive end of the floor. It's a standard that was set by Lakers great Pat Riley in 1995 and sustained by Erik Spoelstra over the past 16 seasons.

Vincent was no exception to the rule, as his offensive heroics in the 2023 NBA Playoffs were only made possible by the defense that earned him playing time.

Vincent's defensive prowess was instrumental in Los Angeles' decision to sign him to a three-year deal. His playoff run was the icing on the cake, but it was his physicality, versatility, and instincts on defense that made him a perfect fit with the Lakers.

While starting guards Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell primarily thrive on offense, Vincent offered a change of pace off the bench that would inevitably earn him big minutes in the playoffs.

In 2024-25, that's the single most important aspect of what the team is hoping he'll bring to the table. Excelling in the postseason takes precedence above all else, yes, but Vincent will carry the burden of being the team's primary defensive specialist among the guards.

If Vincent is able to remind the critics of what he's capable of on defense, then the Lakers will take a massive step toward making a second Conference Finals appearance in three years.