Gabe Vincent's return could provide Lakers with a much-needed boost
Gabe Vincent has played five games all season. The veteran guard joined the Los Angeles Lakers during the summer after helping the Miami Heat make the NBA Finals in 2023. Vincent's injury issues left the Lakers short at the guard position.
According to Shams Charania, who appeared on Monday's edition of FanDuel TV's "Run IT Back," Vincent could return to the Lakers' rotation next week.
"Gabe Vincent is finally to the point where he's progressing to conditioning and ramping up on the floor," Charania said. "His window, I'm told, for a potential return begins next week ... He's probably at the point where it's really just ramping up. And getting into basketball conditioning before the returns."
When healthy, Vincent will provide the Lakers with reliable ball-handling, secondary scoring and sturdy perimeter defense. He's a proven commodity in the NBA and can thrive in both an on-ball and off-ball role at the NBA level.
The Lakers have been missing his versatile skillset this season and will undoubtedly be disappointed with how his debut season with the franchise has played out.
Nevertheless, Vincent is returning at the perfect time. If he can prove he's healthy, and earn minutes within Darvin Ham's rotation, he could provide a spark to the Lakers second unit.
The addition of Spencer Dinwiddie certainly blurs Vincent's potential role within the rotation. However, the Lakers need as many difference-makers as possible, and he has proven he can fit that description, especially in the postseason.
Ham's team has been navigating injury issues all season. Vincent's return could be the start of an influx of talent returning to fitness. If that happens, the Lakers may still have a shot at making some noise in the playoffs.
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