In a span of just a handful of months, the Los Angeles Lakers went from stuck in the mud of mediocrity to legitimate championship contenders. They did so by making a couple of midseason trades that jettisoned Kendrick Nunn, a guard who was contributing very little, and the polarizing Russell Westbrook while bringing in Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt.
While they re-signed Hachimura, Russell and Austin Reaves this summer, the Lakers also added a few other role players, including guard Gabe Vincent and 3-and-D wing Taurean Prince.
Brandon “Scoop B’ Robinson of Bally Sports posted a video of Prince and Vincent participating in a recent offseason workout, and he likes what he saw.
Los Angeles has lacked a viable 3-and-D wing for some time now. Prince gives them a legitimate one, while the thinking is that incoming second-year guard Max Christie could develop into another one.
Meanwhile, Vincent should be a nice replacement for the outgoing Dennis Schroder. He is fresh off helping the Miami Heat unexpectedly reach the NBA Finals, and his defense, grit and ability to hit some 3-point shots will make him an asset to the Purple and Gold.
Story originally appeared on LeBron Wire