The Los Angeles Lakers might have found that upgrade in point guard during the opening day of NBA free agency.
After being linked to big names on both the free agent and trade markets, Los Angeles has signed former Miami Heat undrafted free agent Gabe Vincent.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Vincent receives $33 million over three years to head back to Southern California. The 27-year-old guard starred at UC Santa Barbara during his college days.
To say that this is surprising news would be an understatement. As noted above, the Lakers had been linked to other big-name point guards. That included future Hall of Famer Chris Paul before he ultimately landed with the division-rival Golden State Warriors.
Gabe Vincent stats (2023 NBA Playoffs): 12.7 PPG, 3.5 APG, 38% 3-point shooting
Even then, bringing in Vincent has to be seen as a major move for general manager Rob Pelinka and the Los Angeles Lakers. He was somewhat of a transformative figure during the Miami Heat’s shocking run to the NBA Finals this past season.
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In no way does this mean that Los Angeles doesn’t have interest in re-signing Russell. He was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team deal during February’s in-season NBA trade deadline.
While Russell struggled big time in the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets, he is one of the primary reasons the Lakers made it that far. Teaming Russell up with Vincent moving forward would make for a solid one-two punch at point guard. That’s for sure.