D’Tigers guard Gabe Vincent has expressed his eagerness to contribute to the Los Angeles Lakers, aiming not only to secure wins but also to guide the team to the playoffs and compete for a championship this season.
Gabe Vincent, who signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Lakers last season, had a disappointing campaign, featuring in just 11 games during the regular season and playoffs due to a persistent injury.
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Even when available, Vincent struggled to recapture the form that made him a standout during the Miami Heat’s 2023 NBA Finals run, where he played a crucial role in helping the team overcome top Eastern Conference opponents before falling to the Denver Nuggets.
Speaking at the Lakers’ media day ahead of the new season, Vincent emphasized his focus on staying healthy and contributing to the team’s success on both ends of the floor, with the ultimate goal of winning games.
“I only played, like, 11 games or something like that last season. So being on the court is a huge factor in that,” Vincent told the press during the Lakers’ media availability session.
“Being healthy is a huge factor in that, which I am. So I’m looking forward to this year, but, I think what I bring is the same thing I brought last year this time we had this conversation. You know? I think I can still defend. I think I can make an open shot.
“I can play make for guys. So, I’m curious to see the way things will play out, where they’ll shake out in terms of role definition, and so forth. But I’m looking forward to helping this team win basketball games.
“So for me, it’s you know, last year was frustrating, but trying to find ways I could still be helpful to the guys on the court, off the court in different ways. And, taking the off-season to better my health, to come out here to be able to compete is something I’m looking forward to and taking on this next season ahead.”
Gabe Vincent won’t be part of the Los Angeles Lakers’ starting five this season, as new head coach JJ Redick has opted for a lineup featuring LeBron James, Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves. Despite not being in the starting rotation, Vincent remains positive about working with the former player-turned-coach.
“Just getting to know him a little better, our conversations, you could just tell the kind of basketball mind he has early in that conversation. So seeing the way that he dissects the game and breaks it down, I’m sure we’ll have some very creative ideas going into this year. That’ll be very helpful,” Vincent shared.
The 2024/25 NBA preseason kicks off on October 4, with the Lakers’ first preseason game set for October 5 against last season’s finalists, the Minnesota Timberwolves.
