The Los Angeles Lakers dramatically turned around their fortunes a few months ago with several midseason trades, and it led to them reaching the Western Conference finals.
They created an identity for themselves that was similar to the one they had when they won the NBA championship during the 2019-20 season. They became a very strong defensive team that enjoyed creating fast-break and early offense opportunities from defensive rebounds and turnovers.
Executive Rob Pelinka said he wants to bring back as much of the team’s new core as possible, but he also stated his intent to bring in outside players that fit that new identity.
On Friday, the Lakers reportedly agreed to a three-year, $33 million deal with Gabe Vincent.
Free agent guard Gabe Vincent has agreed on a three-year, $33 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Vincent’s agent, Bill Neff, negotiated the new deal for a tremendous undrafted success story.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2023
Vincent is an improbable success story and one of several undrafted players who helped the Miami Heat reach the NBA Finals this season. A native of California’s Central Valley, he played his college ball at the University of California, Santa Barbara just 100 miles away from Los Angeles.
At 6-foot-2, Vincent is a gutsy guard who is a decent 3-point shooter and can play tenacious defense.