The Los Angeles Lakers are [going through a tough stretch](https://lasportshub.com/jj-redick-harsh-truth-lakers-losing-streak-01jq6x7qnppz), having lost three in a row and falling to 43-28 and fourth place in the Western Conference. Their improvement after the trade deadline didn't last long, as the defense has taken a nosedive in recent weeks.
This may be understandable due to their defensive personnel. The Lakers don't have elite perimeter defenders and don't have a solid rim protector behind them to anchor the defense. That is why they have to play veteran guard Gabe Vincent extensive minutes, as he is one of the few solid defenders on the team.
However, what Vincent adds on the defensive side of the ball is quickly canceled out by his offensive shortcomings. The 28-year-old guard, who is exclusively tasked with hitting shots and open threes created by Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic, has been struggling from all over the court. For the season, his shooting splits are 39.9/34.8/66.7.
In the 18 games the Lakers played since the All-Star break, Vincent has made 34.4% of his threes. For a player who doesn't do anything inside the arc or never gets to the free-throw line, that is simply not good enough. As a result, the Lakers' offense is 2.2 points per 100 possessions worse [with him on the floor than off the floor](https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/player/4739/onoff#tab-team_efficiency), per Cleaning the Glass.
As long as Vincent is not a threat from behind the arc, he will continue to create problems for the Lakers' offense. It makes it difficult to play at the highest levels.
That is why the Lakers' front office has to make a tough decision about him in the offseason. Vincent will have an expiring contract in the offseason as he's due to make $11.5 million for the 2025-26 campaign. The Lakers can attach draft capital to that salary and trade for a better shooter with size.
With Reaves and Doncic in the backcourt, the Lakers need to get as much shooting, size, defense, and athleticism elsewhere. Vincent doesn't bring anything except for defense, and that is not enough for a team with championship aspirations.
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