The 2024-25 NBA regular season is back on the menu now that this year's All-Star activities are over.
The Los Angeles Lakers' sole focus going forward is making the playoffs, which seems like a real possibility given that they're currently fifth in the Western Conference with a 32-20 record. It'll be paramount for every player to do their part in helping build momentum down the stretch, meaning everyone — from Luka Doncic and LeBron James to the role players — must live up to their potential.
Although Lakers fans don't have to worry about some players stepping up, that isn't the case for one veteran who's been robbing the team blind all season long.
Gabe Vincent's Performance Has Robbed the Lakers Blind
Although several Lakers' 2024-25 performances haven't matched their price tag, there's no question that Gabe Vincent has been one of the biggest thieves on the team.
Vincent made his way to Los Angeles on a three-year, $33 million contract ahead of the 2023-24 campaign. The former 2018 undrafted free agent was just coming off a respectable performance that saw him average 9.4 points, 2.5 assists, and 0.9 steals across 68 appearances with the Miami Heat in 2022-23.
Injuries limited the former UC Santa Barbara product to 11 appearances in Year 1 with the Lakers, leaving the fanbase hoping for better results this season. Unfortunately, and as many L.A. fans know, that hasn't been the case.
In 44 games (6 starts) in 2024-25, Vicent is only averaging 5.7 points, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 rebounds while shooting 40.9% from the floor and 35.0% from deep. Although those numbers are an improvement over last year's averages, it's hardly the type of production the Lakers wanted from a player who's being paid $11 million this season — especially when he's only gotten slower with each passing year.
Vincent's play had improved before the All-Star stoppage, averaging 9.4 points and 2.9 assists with .477/.394/.500 shooting splits in his last 11 appearances. As solid as his recently improved play has been, though, it still isn't worth the money he's stealing from the Lakers.
Unless he completely blows head coach JJ Redick and general manager Rob Pelinka away down the stretch and in the playoffs, Vincent is a likely offseason trade candidate. The Lakers will look to make as many improvements as possible around Doncic and James, and the 28-year-old PG's $11.5 million salary could be an important asset to help land another star.
NBA teams can start trading once their season ends, meaning there are a few more months before Vincent learns his fate. In the meantime, the veteran PG can help the Lakers capitalize on the fact that they currently hold the sixth-best 2025 NBA Finals odds (+1800) on DraftKings Sportsbook.
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