5 Lakers Already on Thin Ice to Begin Preseason

Gabe Vincent

When Gabe Vincent was signed as a free agent, the Lakers had high hopes for him. He was going to replace Dennis Schroder as a perimeter defender while being able to provide offensive juice and off-ball shooting on the other end. Unfortunately, Vincent's Lakers stint has been a star-crossed one so far. He only appeared in 11 games, missing most of the season with an injury and when he returned, he wasn't ready to contribute as he couldn't get his shots to fall.

Now, Vincent is reportedly healthy and ready to play. Surprisingly, however, head coach JJ Redick didn't include him in his nine-man rotation in his latest remarks on Media Day. Vincent is one of the few two-way players on the team and he will make over $22 million for the next two seasons. That is too big of a luxury to have as your benchwarmer.

If he doesn't play himself into a rotation role immediately, it seems like Vincent's time in Los Angeles may be cut short.

Jaxson Hayes

One of the most baffling decisions the Lakers made this offseason was starting another year with Jaxson Hayes as the backup center.

This is especially worrisome considering Anthony Davis' injury risk. Yes, AD just had the healthiest season of his last six years but it's hard to trust him to play 76 games again. That means that Hayes will be counted on to start and contribute.

In Hayes' minutes last season, the Lakers were 6.3 points per 100 possessions worse than when he was off the floor. He doesn't provide much on either end of the floor other than running in transition and being a lob threat around the basket.

Hayes picked up his player option for the 2024-25 season but the Lakers are presumably looking for upgrades in his position. The chances of him getting demoted or moved are high. If he isn't, then the Lakers are probably not going anywhere.

More Lakers news and rumors: