Lakers News: Free Agent Signee ‘Legitimate Threat’ To Close Games For LA This Season

It's like deja vu all over again.
Lakers News: Free Agent Signee ‘Legitimate Threat’ To Close Games For LA This Season
Lakers News: Free Agent Signee ‘Legitimate Threat’ To Close Games For LA This Season /
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When the Los Angeles Lakers signed veteran point guard Gabe Vincent this offseason, it was seen as a relatively positive addition to the team. LA had prioritized continuity between their core players from last season, but they did make some moves to upgrade around the edges.

Vincent comes in to essentially replace former Laker Dennis Schroder in the rotation. He brings a certain level of toughness to the table, and he is a good three-point shooter.

When Vincent was signed, it did call into question the future of guard D’Angelo Russell however. Russell performed well in his return to Los Angeles for the most part, but he really struggled during the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets.

There were those who believed Vincent could replace Russell with LA, especially in closing situations. And now there is some merit to those thoughts, as Lakers insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic is reporting that Vincent could end up closing games for LA this season.

“Vincent, whose theoretical role should be similar to the departed Dennis Schröder, is a legitimate threat to at least steal closing minutes."

Per Jovan Buha of The Athletic

Russell is likely to be the starting guard until otherwise, but if he struggles then Vincent will be waiting in the wings. In the later parts of the year last season, Russell was starting games for LA, but it was Schroder who ended up on the floor to close it out. And it looks like we could see that happen again here with Vincent.

“The bet here is Russell starts and plays slightly more, but Vincent replaces Schröder as a Darvin Ham favorite and closes games more often than not.”

Per Jovan Buha of The Athletic

It’s a good problem to have if you are the Lakers, but one that will need to be closely monitored. LA enters the year with title aspirations, and the hope is that they can bring home title number 18 this year.

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Matt Levine
MATT LEVINE

Matt earned a Master of Science degree in Sport Management from Louisiana State University in 2021. He was born and raised in the Los Angeles area, covering all Southern California sports in his career.