AUGUST 6: Vincent’s deal is now official, the Heat announced today in a press release.
“Gabe has proven to us that he is more than just a point guard,” team president Pat Riley said in a statement. “He’s a two-way guard that can run the offense, make threes and pretty much defend any guard in this league. It’s good to have him as part of our young core of players that we feel blend perfectly with our veterans.”
AUGUST 3: The Heat are set to bring back free agent point guard Gabe Vincent on a two-year, $3.5MM minimum contract, Vincent’s agent Bill Neff informs Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Vincent, 25, appeared in 50 games for the Heat during the 2020/21 season, including seven starts. Vincent averaged 4.8 PPG, 1.3 APG and 1.1 RPG in 13.1 MPG last year.
After going undrafted out of UC Santa Barbara in 2018, Vincent played with the Stockton Kings, Sacramento’s NBAGL affiliate, for the 2018/19 season.
He then latched on with the Heat as a two-way player for the 2019/20 season. Vincent appeared in just nine games for Miami during his rookie season, spending most of his time with the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
He was named the Most Improved Player in the G League for 2019/20 while with Sioux Falls, after averaging 21.1 PPG, 3.1 RPG, and 2.1 APG, while pouring in a .450/.406/.923 slash line. At the NBA level, he has been a gritty, defense-first option on the perimeter.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Somewhat surprised they brought him back, after some of the other moves they’ve made, b/c thought they would use that roster spot differently, but this for sure means Nunn is going to be either sign and traded or let go, and probably that an extra player is going back in the Lowry deal. Heat still need 2 wing pieces, a 4 with size that can defend/shoot (unless Okpala is used more), and a floor spacing big, and unless UD retires, which hopefully he doesnt, the only summer league spots will be for 2 way players
I too am surprised by this move. However, after so many years, I know it’s always best to just trust what Riley is doing.
I dont have a problem with it at all really. I just thought they were looking like they were going to use his spot differently. I’m already eyeing a couple of their summer league guys as well, at the combo guard/wing spots, especially having lost Iguodala. They have a couple of guys that can potentially really defend