The Los Angeles Lakers have a $33 million problem on their hands—and it's entirely unclear what the ideal resolution would be. The Lakers also have an impatience problem on their hands—and the optimal amount of time before throwing in the towel is purely ambiguous.
It's the most frustrating element of how the Lakers' season has played out thus far: Gabe Vincent is an enigmatic figure and no one quite knows how to evaluate his play.
On one hand, Vincent has been the best defensive guard on an offensively inclined team. His impact has been in accordance with that earned reputation, as Los Angeles is allowing 114.9 points per 100 possessions with him on the court and 117.9 when he isn't.
Vincent's physicality and determination to fight over screens have been a breath of fresh air on a team that ranks No. 27 in the NBA in defensive rating.
On the other hand, Vincent has been a non-factor on the offensive end of the floor. He's averaging just 2.8 points and 0.6 assists per game in 2024-25, shooting 30.3 percent from the field and 20.9 percent from beyond the arc.
As one of the most valuable defenders on a terrible defensive team, and an afterthought on offense on an elite offensive team, the question beckons: How big of an issue is this really?
Gabe Vincent has become the most enigmatic Lakers player
Vincent signed with the Lakers on a three-year, $33 million contract ahead of the 2023-24 season. That hefty price tag has many expecting consistent two-way contributions, which is an admittedly fair expectation.
It's also worth noting that Vincent gained momentum in free agency by ripping off six 20-point games during the 2023 Playoffs, helping the Miami Heat reach the NBA Finals.
Unfortunately, Vincent has yet to find the offensive form that made him an intriguing two-way player. He's been the epitome of inefficient, but has also been reluctant to shoot—averaging a mere 3.7 field goal attempts per game.
It's unclear if that's by the design of his role within the system or if it's a product of his own hesitant approach, but what's clear is that he hasn't received enough shots to get into any kind of a rhythm.
The crucial context here is that Vincent missed 71 games in 2023-24—making early struggles in 2024-25 all but inevitable. With this in mind, it's easier to understand how a player who has played 28 of the Lakers' past 99 games might have trouble finding his footing less than a quarter of the way through the current campaign.
It hasn't done him any favors on offense that he's playing on a team that has an abundance of scoring options, including fellow guards Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell.
Unfortunately, it's impossible to determine just how patient the Lakers need to be with Vincent—let alone what he could provide them with if he finds his form. Optimism would say he'll return to the quality that made him one of the most valuable players on the Heat, but how realistic is that belief?
As weeks go by and the 2025 NBA trade deadline grows nearer, one can't help but wonder how much longer the Lakers can remain patient with their $33 million man.
