When the Los Angeles Lakers signed Gabe Vincent, the expectation was for him to play like he did with the Miami Heat. At times with the Heat, Vincent was one of the better role players in the NBA, evident by some of his playoff performances.Â
Unfortunately, in Los Angeles, that’s been the opposite of the case. Vincent has dealt with multiple injuries, playing in only 11 games during the 2023-24 season and struggling mightily in his 72 games last year. Some believe the Lakers will look to trade him, and in a recent trade proposal from Clutch Points, they’d accomplish that. The trade would move Vincent to the Portland Trail Blazers for Robert Williams. The Lakers would also send a second-round pick in this deal.Â
âThe Lakers deployed Jaxson Hayes and Rui Hachimura at the center position in the postseason last year. That unsurprisingly led to their elimination in the first round. The lack of big-man depth was a byproduct of trading for Luka Doncic.
âThe deal for the Slovenian guard that shocked the NBA world was well worth it as it was one of the biggest trade fleeces ever and sets the Lakers up for success for the next decade. However, the departure of Anthony Davis left the team without interior scoring, rebounding, and rim protection,â they wrote.
Vincent Has Been at the Center of Trade Rumors Since Last Year
It was reported last year, at the deadline, that the Los Angeles Lakers could look to make Vincent available for a center.Â
With Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes on the roster, the Lakers might decide to go another route now, but it’s also fair to wonder how great that center rotation is. Ayton has no motor, and the Lakers already saw what they have with Hayes a year ago.
âHaving acquired the wing defender they sought in Finney-Smith, the next item for the Lakers on their list is a backup center,â wrote NBA insider Michael Scotto. âThe Lakers will continue to try and acquire [Washington] Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas or another backup center on the trade market with their remaining future second-round draft capital, and Gabe Vincent is expected to be dangled in talks as well, league sources told HoopsHype.â
How Would Williams Fit With the Lakers?
Williams would be an intriguing addition for the Los Angeles Lakers. There have been times throughout his career when he’s been an All-Defensive caliber player, especially with the Boston Celtics. Unfortunately, he’s also dealt with multiple injuries.
Regarding Vincent, he was happy with how things have gone for the Los Angeles Lakers on the health front last season.Â
He wasn’t too impressed with his play, which is promising to hear that he understands he needs to improve.
As long as he’s healthy and on the Lakers, the hope would be for him to figure things out.
âI was glad to play a full year after last year and being injured, playing only a handful of games,â Vincent said in his exit interview. âIt was great to be there for the whole season. I had some stretches where I found some good rhythm, but I wouldâve loved to have more of an impact tonight obviously and in this series as well.â
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