D’Angelo Russell may be the Los Angeles Lakers’ starting point guard this season, but he will have a very capable guard behind him.
Gabe Vincent, a tenacious defender who seems to play taller than his listed height of 6-foot-2, will be Russell’s main backup. He could be slated to play some significant minutes as this season unfolds. In fact, head coach Darvin Ham could elect to use lineups with both Russell and Vincent in the backcourt together.
Vincent had no problem with Russell being named the starter over him. Now Russell has returned the favor by saying he could play alongside the former Miami Heat guard (h/t Lakers Daily).
D’Angelo Russell fit well immediately with Austin Reaves last year. Asked him what he thinks of Gabe Vincent’s game and how they might mesh in certain lineups:
“I love his game. Big fan of his game. (Definitely a guy) I can play with.”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 3, 2023
Vincent, who played his college ball nearby at the University of California, Santa Barbara, played a key role in the Heat’s Cinderella run to the NBA Finals last season. The big key for him will be improving his 3-point shooting — although he shot 37.8% from downtown in the playoffs, he was at just 33.4% in the regular season last year.