Despite conflicting reports, NBA insider Marc Stein revealed that Lakers guard Gabe Vincent intends to return before the season ends. The 27-year-old has missed the majority of the year while recovering from left knee surgery. The team brought in Spencer Dinwiddie after the deadline in hopes of solidifying the backup point guard slot.
With Vincent hoping to return as the Lakers make a playoff push, it leads to an interesting dilemma over who should be the first one off the bench behind D’Angelo Russell.
Lakers Rumors: Gabe Vincent’s Return Poses Backup PG Dilemma
Spencer Dinwiddie
Since coming off of the buyout market, the nine-year veteran Dinwiddie has adjusted to his role as a backup. The stats are underwhelming—4.6 points and 2.7 assists per game on 35% shooting from the field. However, he’s fit in as the secondary playmaker the Lakers needed off the bench.
Spencer Dinwiddie on embracing role-player duties in LA: "Obviously, the way shit shook out in Brooklyn kind of put me more so in this box than my game being in that box. It's not like I'm 35 or coming off injury or washed or anything. … Like, I'm one of them guys. Let's not…
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) March 18, 2024
Dinwiddie began his Laker career on a high note, recording seven assists and six points against the Pistons. In his second game against the Jazz, Dinwiddie finished with 10 points (3/5 FG, 2/3 3PT) and four assists. Since then, however, he’s struggled to produce efficiently as time has gone on—particularly against contenders. It raises concerns about his status heading into the Play-in Tournament.
Darvin Ham pregame on Spencer Dinwiddie's lack of aggressiveness offensively: pic.twitter.com/vOXeMNGUqv
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) March 16, 2024
There’s always room for Dinwiddie to turn things around, but that time is limited with 13 games left in the season. It’s clear he’ll need to regain that energy on offense soon. The Lakers cannot afford to struggle, even against opposing benches. As of now, Dinwiddie is one of the catalysts who can breathe new life into LA’s second unit. The question is, can he live up to that expectation?
Gabe Vincent
Vincent was supposed to be the backup three-and-D guard who made up for Russell’s defensive struggles. However, his knee injury and poor performances made him a non-factor in the five games he appeared in this season.
Months after his procedure, Vincent was recently cleared for non-contact activities on Mar. 12. He was practicing with the team last week, seen here helping Rui Hachimura with his three-point shooting.
Gabe Vincent, in his practice uniform, passing to Rui Hachimura for catch-and-shoot 3s pic.twitter.com/cSDtYzcmWR
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) March 15, 2024
The veteran’s standout 2022 playoff run gave Laker fans hope that Vincent was worth the three-year, $33 million contract he signed over the summer. Instead, he’s been another example of why LA shouldn’t go after former Miami guards. However, he has time to change that perception, too.
Assuming Vincent is fully healthy, he gives the Lakers a much-needed point-of-attack defender, which will be critical against contenders with stronger guard depth. Aside from his defensive chops, Vincent will serve as another boost for a Laker bench with an abysmal offensive rating—26th in the league this season. His shooting, if he can get out of his slump, will be his greatest asset. Vincent holds career averages of nearly 40% from the field, 33% from distance and 84% from the charity stripe. He has the power to be an immediate threat on both ends of the floor—and could even be an upgrade over Dinwiddie—but it’s all predicated on his health upon his return.
The Last Word
The backup point guard spot is a race between two Lakers who have a lot to prove. Dinwiddie needs to assert himself on offense, while Vincent will be jumping in at a critical point of the season. While Dinwiddie and Vincent are solid options with deep playoff experience, their Laker tenures leave a lot to be desired. Fans are also divided over who can take the reins when Russell is off the floor. Both of them have what it takes to control the second unit, but will need to jump over hurdles to get to that point.
