Jarred Vanderbilt’s Return Could Give Lakers Much-Needed Versatility

The Lakers, as expected, have been the subject of several trade rumors over the past month. Many believe they will make some type of move before the deadline, and those voices have only grown louder with each passing game. On Saturday against the Warriors, however, Los Angeles may have finally found a way to quiet them.

(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

The game, in which the Lakers eventually came out on top 118-108, wasn’t significant because of the matchup or final score. Rather, it was important because it marked the return of Los Angeles’ power forward Jarred Vanderbilt.

The tough forward is someone the team has been curious about all season, and his first game could not have come at a better time. That’s because, not only does the lengthy defender represent another big body for a team in need of some extra physicality, but he adds athleticism and youth as well.

Playing His Role

Vanderbilt first came into the league in 2018, when the Magic took him 41st overall. After bouncing between the NBA and G-League for two years, he finally cemented a permanent role on the Timberwolves and Jazz from 2021-2023.

After that, the Lakers acquired him in a three-way trade. Last season he played in 29 games for Los Angeles, where he averaged 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals. He also averaged a solid 20 minutes a night.

Those statistics aren’t the most impressive in a vacuum, but they show how valuable Vanderbilt can be as a role player. With Anthony Davis and LeBron James both playing down low, LA doesn’t need another star center. They just need someone who can log quality minutes.

Vanderbilt did a great job of that, earning himself a sizable contract extension, before needing to undergo double foot surgery during the offseason. Though the team was hopeful he’d return from the operation, they didn’t know if he’d be back to his old self. Against the Warriors, they got their answer.

A Resilient Showing

In his first game of the season, Vanderbilt put up 2 points alongside 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals. Those stats aren’t crazy, but they show his versatility is still there. He’s still in basketball shape, and can serve as the strong defender the Lakers need him to be.

“Vando was awesome,” head coach J.J Redick said when speaking of the forward. “Did all the things that we need him to do.”

That confidence shows the team is excited about what Vanderbilt represents. He’s a big man who can run the floor, defend on multiple levels, and play strong defense either alongside or in lieu of their other stars.

“I knew I might be a little rusty coming in and as far as rhythm and knowing the plays and all that stuff,” the forward said about his performance. “So my main goal was just to go in there and play hard. Bring the energy and then everything else. Just control the controllable and everything else will play its hand.”

While he certainly thinks he can improve, Vanderbilt doesn’t need to do much more than what he did against Golden State. As long as he stays in his lane and finds ways to contribute, everyone will be happy.

Providing More Options

The other big reason Vanderbilt’s return matters so much for the Lakers is because of the depth he gives the team. It’s no secret Los Angeles has been searching for a key big man in a potential trade to reduce injuries to Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

Having another strong defender means they don’t have to be as hasty or as desperate when it comes to making a deal. Vanderbilt isn’t as valuable as someone like Jonas Valanciunas, but he’s already on the payroll and doesn’t require giving up draft picks.

In the game against the Warriors he played with both Davis and Dorian Finney-Smith. Each package created problems for Golden State and allowed the Lakers to dominate the boards. That’s something everyone, including Anthony Davis, noticed.

“We can go deep into our bench,” The big man explained. “Obviously Vando is on a minute restriction, but the time he was on the floor, he was phenomenal…It definitely helps with guys not having to play a ton of minutes, can get some rest and be fresh from game to game.”

It seems that LeBron shares the sentiment as well. He’s someone else who would like to see load reduction, and that’s exactly what Vanderbilt brings.

“It looked like he didn’t miss a beat,” he said about Vanderbilt. “I mean, he’s flying around. What he does doesn’t even always show up in the box score.”