Gabe Vincent shared his thoughts on D’Angelo Russell being the starting point guard for the Lakers.
One of the biggest strengths for the Los Angeles Lakers during this upcoming season has been the team’s overall depth. The team have multiple good contributors at every position on the roster, and one place where that is particularly visible is the PG position.
Both D’Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent are starting-level point guards, and there is no doubt that either player could do the job well. However ultimately, Russell has managed to win the job. Recently, Vincent shared his take on the situation, noting that he will play any role to help the Lakers win.
Proposed Simple Trade Sends Malcolm Brogdon To Los Angeles Clippers
“That’s something for D Ham to worry about. I’m not the coach,” Vincent told Mark Medina of Sportskeeda Basketball. “I don’t set lineups. I just go out there and do my job. I’ll do whatever I can to help this team win games.”
There is no doubt that this is a good attitude to have for Gabe Vincent. The goal for the Lakers is to win a championship, and everyone has to accept their role on the roster for that to happen. There is also a chance that Vincent will win the starting role at some point in the season. At the end of the day though, it is easy to see why the Lakers elected to start D’Angelo Russell: he is a starting-level point guard who is very s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed offensively.
This past season, D’Angelo Russell averaged 17.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game with the Lakers, while shooting 41.4% from 3PT range. It will be interesting to see if he can improve his performances further this season, and show that he is the third star for the team.
Some Believe D’Angelo Russell Is Worth More Than His Current Contract With The Lakers
This summer, D’Angelo Russell re-signed with the Lakers on a two-year, $36 million contract. This is a solid enough deal, but many believe that the point guard should be earning more than that.
In fact, Stephen A. Smith previously suggested that D’Angelo Russell deserved $25 to $27 million per season from the Lakers. That might be Smith overvaluing Russell, but the point guard might be able to sign for that amount next season.
The second year of Russell’s deal right now is a player option, which means that he can become a free agent once again during the 2024 season. If he plays well this season, then it will make sense for him to try and get a long-term deal next season, whether it be from the Lakers or otherwise.
The Los Angeles Lakers Have A High Ceiling Next Season
There is no doubt that the Los Angeles Lakers have a lot of talent on their roster as of right now. The team has surrounded LeBron James and Anthony Davis with capable role players, and that is clearly a recipe for success.
Hopefully, we see the Lakers achieve their potential as a team. They can definitely win a championship as currently constructed, but the key will be ensuring that all their talent can win together.
With LeBron James and Anthony Davis at the helm, the Lakers can compete against any team. The team will of course have to make the playoffs by performing well during the regular season though, and their depth will certainly help with that.
The Western Conference is very competitive, but even among all the great teams in the West, the Lakers stand out. The team has a really high ceiling, but they have to work hard to get where they want to go.
