Gabe Vincent reveals the Miami Heat's "surprising" free agency approach, detailing Pat Riley's personal outreach and a significant financial disconnect that ultimately led to his departure.
Before signing a three-year, $30 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Miami Heat attempted to retain Gabe Vincent in free agency. He played a pivotal role in the team’s historic 2023 Finals run as an eighth seed, averaging 12.7 points on 40.2 percent shooting, 37.8 percent from three-point range, 1.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 22 games started. The undrafted guard was ahead of veteran Kyle Lowry in the rotation.
After three seasons with the organization, Vincent grew into an impactful player who can score and playmake. The Heat went through great lengths to re-sign him, which left a lasting impression on the 29-year-old, which was shared on the latest episode of the “Out The Mud Podcast,” hosted by former NBA players Zach Randolph and Tony Allen.
“Fast forward four seasons [in Miami],” Vincent said. “Tyler gets hurt in the playoffs and here comes this opportunity where I do well in that two-month stretch, we make a deep run, and it was like, ‘All right, it’s time to get paid. I just tripled my worth.’ My talks with them early were just like, ‘You had an opportunity. You did great with it. We don’t know what this [is] going to look like in the summer now.’ I’m just like, ‘Okay, cool. I did my job.’ That’s what I felt, supposed to put pressure on them. [I’m] thinking I might end up back there. I’m meeting with Pat [Riley], Pat [is] flying out to meet with me. I’m like, ‘Flying out to meet with me? I’m not Magic [Johnson], I’m not [Kobe Bryant] or [Shaquille O’Neal] or [Dwyane Wade]. What [are] you meeting with Gabe Vincent for?’ I was blown away by that. In the meetings, we ain’t say nothing about numbers. At that point, I kind of knew what it was. I’m just like, ‘I got to hear what else is out there.’”
The seven-year veteran shared that the Heat’s offer was around $18 million, as it would’ve been “$12 million less” to return.
After two-and-a-half seasons with the Lakers, Vincent was traded to the Atlanta Hawks at the Feb. 5 trade deadline. The success with the Heat didn’t translate across the United States of America to the West Coast.
Vincent will be a free agent this summer and has a solid reputation around the league. The injury history will likely come up in negotiation talks, but the California native can make an impact in a proper system and role.
Make sure to check out the latest of the HeatWave Podcast, part of the Roundtable Sports Network, hosted by Miami Heat beat writer Anthony Aguirre.
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