The Los Angeles Lakers fell just short of the NBA Finals in 2023, losing in the Western Conference Finals. With an eye toward getting to the Finals, the Lakers added a player who appeared in the 2023 Finals on Friday.
Gabe Vincent was an integral member of the Miami Heat, helping the Eastern Conference’s No. 8 seed reach the NBA Finals. On Friday, he cashed in.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on Friday night that the Lakers and Vincent agreed on a three-year, $33 million deal with the Lakers.
Free agent guard Gabe Vincent has agreed on a three-year, $33 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Vincent’s agent, Bill Neff, negotiated the new deal for a tremendous undrafted success story.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2023
Generally speaking, the reaction to Vincent’s deal was positive.
Tough to see Vincent go, especially to the Lakers. But so happy for him https://t.co/iwWIcyWiuw
— 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 (@HeatvsHaters) June 30, 2023
This is pretty great, and a new deal for Fred VanVleet is still to come. All the guys who went undrafted earlier this month…take note and go for it. https://t.co/tTfDSWC1tL
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) June 30, 2023
Good for Gabe, I am intrigued with the fit/minutes but the pull up shooting will help the Lakers. Catch and shoot should perk up. https://t.co/04nDFYDFlA
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) June 30, 2023
Congrats Gabe! He fits the mold of effective PG next to LeBron and back to Southern California. https://t.co/oCJtKpd37e pic.twitter.com/rrE4Lrvq7G
— Sean 5RSN🎙️🏀 (@SRochesterNBA) June 30, 2023
I'm hearing the Lakers still have interest in re-signing D'Angelo Russell, who has been their third priority behind retaining Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. The Lakers signing Gabe Vincent likely signals that Dennis Schroder won't be back in Los Angeles. https://t.co/k5mwHTfYME
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) June 30, 2023
Vincent is a gamer, plays tough, can hit 3's and is not afraid of the big stage. Comes from the right culture, really like the pick up
What you think Laker Fans? https://t.co/Ty6iY14O9T
— Allen Sliwa (@AllenSliwa) June 30, 2023
What a great story for @SMHSRAMS alum Gabe Vincent. Despite being undrafted, the Modesto native continued working hard toward his goals. Now he just agreed to a $33 million deal with the Lakers. https://t.co/JbggAQKDLC
— Kevin John (@heykevinjohn) June 30, 2023
Miami losing Vincent, who started all but one of the team’s postseason games in 2023, also led to further speculation Damian Lillard — who’s already been strongly tied to the Heat — will soon be traded to Miami.
Miami has to be counting on Damian Lillard asking for a trade. The Heat lose a valuable lead guard in Vincent & Strus is most likely headed to Cleveland if the two teams can negotiate a sign & trade deal. https://t.co/AO2LxrGNj9
— Mark Schanowski (@MarkSchanowski) June 30, 2023
Vincent was undrafted in 2018 and played with the Stockton Kings, the G-League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings, until January 2020, when he signed with the Heat. He played in only nine games for the Heat during that 2019-20 season, then only 50 games with seven starts in the 2020-21 season.
His role grew the following year, though. In the 2021-22 season, Vincent played in 68 games for Miami, starting 27 and averaging 23.4 minutes per game. Vincent again played 68 games last season, starting, 34 of them and averaging 25.9 minutes. During the 2022-23 regular season, he averaged 9.4 points per game, shooting 40.2% on field goals, 33.4% on threes and made 87.2% of his free throws.
During the playoffs, Vincent started 22 of Miami’s 23 games (he missed the other) and his production generally increased. Vincent averaged 30.5 minutes over those 22 games, scoring 12.7 points and issuing 3.5 assists a game.
