NBA Rumors: Lakers' Gabe Vincent Viewed as 'Negative Asset' After $33M Contract

The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping to make some roster upgrades via the trade market this winter, but it appears they may not be able to consider one player an asset in negotiations despite his previous history as a solid role player.

Gabe Vincent, who was signed to a three-year, $33 million contract in free agency, is "viewed as a negative asset right now around the league because he's been hurt, and he hasn't been able to show if he can fit with the Lakers or not," according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

"There's also always the stigma that Miami Heat role players are not as good elsewhere, with the exception of Max Strus and the way he's played for Cleveland," Scotto added.

Vincent has appeared in just five games for the Lakers this season due to a knee injury that ultimately required surgery last month. ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported Dec. 25 that he was expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks.

The 27-year-old averaged just 5.4 points, 1.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in those five games off the bench while shooting 37.5 percent from the floor and 11.8 percent from deep as he struggled to get into a groove.

Vincent spent the first four seasons of his career with the Miami Heat and was a key role player off the bench for the franchise. He put together his best season in a Miami uniform during the 2022-23 campaign when he averaged 9.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 68 games while shooting 40.2 percent from the floor and 33.4 percent from deep.

The Lakers rewarded him with a huge contract in free agency in hopes he could continue to provide that spark off the bench, but obviously, that hasn't been the case.

Considering Vincent struggled to get going prior to hitting the shelf, it's no surprise he might not hold much value across the league.

The Purple and Gold have struggled mightily this season and sit ninth in the Western Conference with a 22-23 record. They've been linked to several players ahead of the trade deadline, including Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray, as they search for upgrades in hopes of making a push for the playoffs.