After hustling his way from his humbling beginnings, Gabe Vincent is set to face the most important decision of his career thus far.
The undrafted point man will hit unrestricted free agency status, and he admits that there are considerations outside of the financial standpoint that plays a critical role.
“Money plays a role, place plays a role, situation plays a role,” he said, courtesy of Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang. “There’s a lot of things that factor in and I think it will all take care of itself throughout the summer.”
In 68 regular season games, Vincent averaged 9.4 points, 2.5 assists, and shot over 40 percent from the field. And as the postseason time came for the Heat, he burst and became integral to the team’s historic eight-seeded run upon compiling a much improved 12.7 points and 3.5 assists.
With uncertainty looming at his next step, Vincent remains beyond grateful for Miami’s faith in him and that unwavering belief he enjoyed throughout the four-year course with the franchise.
“Obviously, all my time in the NBA has been with the Heat other than my short stint in the G League with Sacramento,” Vincent said. “I built a lot of great relationships with the organization, with staff. I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity they gave me and the chance they took on me. I’ve been blessed to represent this city and this organization so far.”
Besides Vincent, another name to watch for the Heat once the market opens this late June is Max Strus.
Strus’ contract will expire with the Heat and is due for some interest around the league with his hot shooting. Last regular season, he averaged 11.5 points, 3.2 boards and 2.1 assists in 80 games.
Being chased for his service for the first time in his career, Strus knows that he has to be mindful of the business he will enter amid the fact that Miami handed him a strong opportunity to further allow his career to bloom.
“I haven’t had a better fit than being here in Miami,” Strus said. “It’s what I know, it’s what I’m comfortable with. But I’m just excited to see what these next couple weeks, month is going to be about. I’ve never been here before, so I’m just going to take it all in stride and have my agent’s help out with everything. But a comfortability is definitely something to take into account.”
No matter what happens down the line, Strus will remain grateful for the moments he enjoyed and the chances he obtained as a significant member of the Heat.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more,” Strus said with regard to his priceless Miami experience. “I’ve had an unbelievable time here. I did what I came here to do for myself. They gave me an opportunity and I took advantage of it. I will forever be thankful to coach [Pat] Riley, coach Spo, Andy [Elisburg] for keeping me around and giving me the opportunity to take that step in my career. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.
“I’ve been spoiled the last two years. Playing as a starter, getting to the Eastern Conference finals last year, getting to the NBA Finals this year. I don’t think people realize how special that is and it doesn’t happen for a lot of people. So I have a lot to be thankful for. This place is always going to have a special place in my heart.”
