No one is going to sit here and sell the idea that Gabe Vincent is going to be replaced by Nick Smith Jr. as the backup point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers this season after one strong performance. However, there is something to be said for the deliverables of what Smith had to offer the Lakers.
The young guard erupted for 25 points and six assists, offering a much-needed boost to a Lakers team that needed it in heavy doses due to how undermanned they were. Vincent has not been that type of player off the bench for the Lakers.
The veteran guard has other strengths, some of them more complementary to the stars in Los Angeles. However, his inability to captain the second unit as the lead guard has created some notable struggles for the Lakers over the years.
It is those issues that could certainly end his time with the organization before the year is over. Vincent has not done enough to guarantee his spot with the Lakers, and if an upgrade at backup point guard is available before the NBA trade deadline, it should be no surprise if Rob Pelinka takes that gift.
Gabe Vincent remains as expendable as anyone on the Lakers roster
Vincent has averaged 5.9 points, 1.5 assists, and 0.7 steals in 21.1 minutes per game during his three seasons with the Lakers. The playoff numbers look much worse, with the points per game dipping to 2.1 a night, and the efficiency falling off a cliff, dropping down to 30.8 percent from the field.
The marriage that was envisioned between the two sides when Vincent signed in 2023 free agency has never blossomed. His expiring contract, valued at $11.5 million, continues to stand out as a dangling chip in a trade that is to come with a team who has given up on their season closer to February.
The Lakers had the second-worst points per game from their bench in the entire league last season. 26.2 placed them firmly at 29th in the NBA, with only the New York Knicks struggling harder in that category (21.7 points per game).
Vincent's streaky shooting certainly did not help the Lakers bench. Neither did his mediocre playmaking.
Once everyone on the Lakers is close to full health again, it would be doubtful to see Vincent in anything other than a bench role. How much is Los Angeles really going to get from him once he is relegated to those responsibilities once more?