When the Los Angeles Lakers signed Gabe Vincent to a three-year, $33 million contract, fans of the Purple and Gold were delighted.
After all, Vincent is the starting point guard on a Miami Heat team that just made it to the NBA Finals, and his skill set allows him to fit right in with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Vincent has yet to reach the same heights with the Lakers, which leads some to believe he is simply a product of the Heat’s renowned ecosystem and culture under head coach Erik Spoelstra.
However, the 27-year-old defenseman admitted that moving to Los Angeles was the only logical decision he could have made given the Heat’s financial situation, which makes keeping him slim.
.
“I think I played well in the playoffs and I think that changed my value.
I think once that changed, it got harder.
I think Miami wanted me be here.
I think I’m looking forward to getting back to the team I just played in the finals for and the team I’ve been with for the last three or four seasons.
Unfortunately it doesn’t work.
But my values have changed,” Vincent explained, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.
Gabe Vincent has taken this Heat team to a T; he’s an above-average defender who’s comfortable at the point of attack, he keeps the ball moving and he’s also capable of making difficult shots off the dribble.
It certainly would be more realistic for him to stay because it wouldn’t force him to adjust as drastically as he did with the Lakers.
But the Heat are in a salary cap crisis, rushing into the second luxury tax apron without even moving.
but in free agency.
(That also prevents them from working with Bradley Beal.) So Vincent is absolutely right to get the best deal possible, especially since he made around $3.5 million during his time in Miami .
Currently out for at least the next two weeks due to a left knee injury, Gabe Vincent is now expected to focus on his health and give his all to the Lakers once he returns from injury love.
