Lakers May Steal New Starter From Contender, Per NBA Exec

The Los Angeles Lakers will have a busy offseason and the front office will probably make some wild moves. They have a few free agents to take care of and yes, D’Angelo Russell’s future is still a mystery for the rest of the NBA. The Lakers have been linked to several players and at least one general manager believes they will steal starting guard Gabe Vincent from a top contender – the Miami Heat.

“Gabe Vincent from Miami, he is a free agent and could be had at a decent number,” the Western Conference general manager said. “It is hard to figure where he ranks as a shooter, and the Heat might go out of their way to keep him, but he’s the kind of fit they need there in LA.”

Getting Vincent would be an ideal scenario for the Lakers. He will probably test the open market in the offseason in order to earn a better deal. The Heat guard is at the very end of his two-year deal worth $3.4 million. Vincent has a chance to sign a really good deal after his brilliant postseason with the Heat. He averaged 9.4 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game while shooting 33.4% from long range in 68 games with the Heat this past season. His performance improved in the offseason and Vincent averaged 13.3 points, 3.9 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game while doing 38.2% from the long range in 16 playoff games.

Lakers will challenge the top contender and try to keep their guys around

The Lakers will have to play smart this offseason. They have to find a way to keep talented free agents on the roster all while adding fresh power. Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura have been brilliant with the Lakers this season and signing them to a new deal should be a priority for the purple and gold.

“A lot depends on what happens with the guys they’ve got, (Malik) Beasley, Lonnie Walker and the bigger guys like Rui [Hachimura] and D’Angelo Russell,” the NBA exec said. “Austin Reaves, you kind of know where he is going to be in the first two years of his deal [because of CBA restrictions].

“They’re going to be looking at the tax, for sure. They want to give their young guy, [Max] Christie, a good look, he could be in the rotation next year. I think they also like Cole Swider, who is on a two-way. It’s possible they won’t have a ton of roster overhaul, but they would like another shooter.”