The Los Angeles Lakers have lost seven of their last ten and are searching for answers. They are 13-11 on the season and have slipped to eighth in the West. LeBron James is finally looking his age, and the Lakers have the fourth-worst point differential in the conference ahead of only the Jazz, Blazers, and Pelicans. LA’s bench is a massive issue, and no player has been worse than Gabe Vincent.
The 6’3 guard was the Lakers marquee signing in the 2023 offseason. He was a starter and key role player for the Heat during their run to the NBA Finals, and the Lakers believed they were adding another ball-handler, shooter, and defender. Vincent played just 11 games last season and has been dreadful to start year two in Los Angeles.
There was a brief moment where the 28-year-old looked like he was finally finding his footing, but it disappeared in the last game. Vincent’s counting stats are problematic, but the advanced numbers are worse. Head coach JJ Redick seriously needs to consider removing him from the rotation.
Gabe Vincent is becoming unplayable for the Lakers
Vincent averages 3.8 points, 1.1 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 0.9 steals in 18.9 minutes per game. He is shooting 35.0 percent from the field and 26.2 percent on his 3-point attempts. The Lakers have a negative-2.1 net rating with Vincent on the floor. He has scored in double figures twice and has one game with more than three assists. The numbers are bad, but the advanced metrics are worse.
Vincent rates as the worst player in the NBA by value over replacement player (VORP), box score plus-minus, and win shares per 48 minutes, according to Basketball-Reference. The 6’3 guard has not just been bad. He is literally the worst player in the NBA by several metrics.
Playing an undersized guard who cannot hit shots or make plays is problematic. Vincent has made 33.6 percent of his 152 field goal attempts since joining the Lakers and is 19 of 89 from 3-point range. He has shot better in the last five games, but LA has been outscored by 19 points in his 137.5 minutes on the floor. The Lakers had three losses during that stretch, but were missing key players.
Gabe Vincent is ninth on the Lakers in minutes per game but is one of just two players to appear in every contest. LA cannot be a serious title contender with him in the rotation. Vincent’s play must improve drastically. It starts with hitting shots and playing with more confidence. He appears to be over his injury-plagued 2023-24 season, but cannot get anything going.
Hopefully, the last five games are the beginning of an uptick for him. If not, the Los Angeles Lakers need to remove him from the rotation and should look to trade his contract before the Feb. 6 deadline. He is making $11 million this season and could be a key salary-matcher if the franchise can find an upgrade. Lakers fans should hope it happens quickly and that they can move on from this nightmare signing.