Jarred Vanderbilt Discussion: The Vandalorian

Might as well not have thumbs lol

 

Explain it to your Islands buddy.

 

Lakers finally got the Jarred Vanderbilt summer they've been dreaming of
Jarred Vanderbilt is finally healthy during an offseason as a Laker.
ByMaxwell Ogden|15 hours ago




For the first time during his tenure as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, JJ Redick will enter training camp with a healthy version of Jarred Vanderbilt. That only scratches the surface of the frustration Vanderbilt has felt, as his Lakers career has been marred by injuries.

After two years of struggling to find the court, however, it appears as though Vanderbilt is finally back at 100 percent and ready to step up as Los Angeles' defensive stopper.

Vanderbilt, who's still just 26 years of age, has excelled when healthy with the Lakers. Unfortunately, playing time has been tough to come by for a player whose defensive value is impossible to overlook, but whose injury history has become a defining characteristic of his reputation.

Thankfully, Vanderbilt has been able to get through the 2025 offseason without the injury issues that previously plagued him.

Barring an unforeseen setback, after two frustrating years during which injuries robbed him of the value he was capable of providing, Vanderbilt will finally enter training camp at 100 percent. It's the development Los Angeles has been waiting for since he first signed his extension in 2023.

In turn, Vanderbilt could step up and remind the NBA of why the Lakers felt confident enough in his abilities to hand him a four-year extension after just 26 games.

Lakers can finally enter training camp with a healthy Jarred Vanderbilt
Los Angeles acquired Vanderbilt from the Utah Jazz in 2023. He quickly made his mark as a versatile defender capable of picking opponents up at multiple positions and operating as the point-of-attack force of nature the team needed after parting ways with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Alex Caruso.

Los Angeles acted quickly to sign their new wing stopper to a four-year, $48 million contract extension that seemed to be a fair deal at the time.

Unfortunately, Vanderbilt has spent the past two years struggling to overcome injuries. He played just 29 games in 2023-24, enduring back, foot, and heel injuries that cost him the rest of his season and ultimately led to offseason surgery.

Vanderbilt then experienced an issue with fluid buildup in his knee that contributed to him appearing in just 36 games during the 2024-25 season.

Having missed 99 regular season games since signing the four-year extension, Vanderbilt has unfortunately become the epitome of hypothetical value. Los Angeles would undoubtedly benefit from having him on the court, but it's been nearly three years since they could rely on his presence.

Thankfully, the update they've been waiting for has finally arrived—and a potential step toward elite defensive status has been taken.

Losing Dorian Finney-Smith undoubtedly stings, but Los Angeles could replace his defensive value with a healthy Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt is also a productive offensive rebounder, boasting career averages of 2.0 offensive boards per game and 3.6 per 36 minutes.

With an opportunity to develop chemistry between Vanderbilt and the teammates he's long been waiting to consistently work with, the Lakers have every reason for optimism.

 

yeah, i kinda fear that he's just not going to be able to stay on the floor. whenever he's been available, he's played too well to keep him off it, imo.

 

Stop “fearing” and watch what JJ does with him this year with this roster to keep him on the floor as needed because of how well he’s creating havoc with opponents?

 

Yeah....but his three point shot makes him unplayable. At least that's what I've been told. repeatedly.

 

It's not his 3 ball, it's mainly that he can't finish at the rim. If he could, you just play him in the screen and roll position.

 

Bad feet bro..Hopefully he got that issue taken care of.

 

his finishing at the rim seems to be a combination of not great hands and a surprising lack of lift for a guy who's so fast and quick for his size.

 

I’m always shocked that someone who looks like that isn’t a high flyer. I always expect him to catch and alley oop and throw it down. Instead he catches, pump fakes and gets blocked. Like clockwork…

 

I think we need to hear from @Kenzo Is he skipping leg days .... or some body types just (no matter what you do for them)?



..... probably most certainly the latter. Hopefully @Slick2021 wins the chicken dinner for correct answer, aside from small hands.

 

Nice jab, now hit them with the right hook.

 

Imagine that Vando is the prince that was promised, defends 1-4 and shoots 35% from 3.

While we’re at it imagine Bronny develops into prime Smart and Adou becomes OG. One can only dream.

Reaves / Bronny
Luka / Bronny
Vando / LaRavia
Adou / LaRavia
Ayton

Lots of youth for the next 5-7 if we could develop them. But it very rarely happens like this.