NBA Free Agency: Stock-up, stock-down based on the first round of the NBA Playoffs

Rui Hachimura, D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Rui Hachimura, D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /
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Apr 19, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent (2) drives for the basket around Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the first quarter during game two of the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent (2) drives for the basket around Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the first quarter during game two of the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

NBA Free Agency stock up: Gabe Vincent

Vincent has quietly been a reliable role player for the Heat for multiple seasons but he’s really stepped forward in the postseason, helping cover for the absence of Tyler Herro and emerging as Miami’s second-most reliable perimeter scorer.

Vincent has good size (6-foot-3) and strength at the point guard position and carved out a role as a spot starter the past two seasons, averaging 9.1 points, 2.8 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game with solid defense and decent enough 3-point shooting (35.1 percent). He wasn’t much of a presence during the Play-In Tournament but was huge in helping knock of the Bucks.

Against Milwaukee, Vincent averaged 13.0 points and 5.0 assists per game, hitting 14-of-33 (42.4 percent) from beyond the arc. He held up extremely well defensively against both Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, helping ease the defensive burden on Jimmy Butler and allowing him to focus on his ridiculous scoring.

Vincent’s ceiling is probably still as a backup point guard or spot starter and there’s a decent chance Miami brings him back. But he’s proving his utility right now and could increase his salary, bring a few more teams to the table with competing offers or give himself the chance to move to another team that can offer slightly more opportunity.