The 2023 offseason was meant to be a period during which the Los Angeles Lakers made the leap to champion status. Fresh off of reaching the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers added breakout postseason star Gabe Vincent and former Sixth Man of the Year candidate Christian Wood, and re-signed defensive specialist Jarred Vanderbilt.
Unfortunately, through a season and a half, that trio has appeared in a combined total of 122 games—inevitably destroying the Lakers' best chance at producing a postseason-caliber second unit.
Vanderbilt and Vicnent were expected to create a dynamic defensive duo that helped anchor Los Angeles' efforts on that end of the floor, while Wood projected to offer invaluable offense off the bench. Vincent has managed to play in 32 games in 2024-25, but neither Vanderbilt nor Wood has made their regular season debut.
According to Matthew Valento of Lakers Nation, Vincent praised Vanderbilt for how hard he's worked to get back on the court and expressed excitement over his potential return.
“Vando has been working very hard,” he said. “I think all of us have seen his work in passing whether he’s here before us or staying after. I don’t have any breaking news for you on that front. But for him, I hope he can get back as soon as possible. I know how difficult it can be to be away from the game and have the game taken from you in that way. So I know that is something that is weighing on him and I’m sure he’s eager to get back and compete. We’re absolutely eager to have him. Hell of a player, great teammate. So it’ll be great to see him back in uniform.”
The Lakers have every reason to be enthusiastic about Vanderbilt's return, especially when one considers their defensive shortcomings.
Gabe Vincent praises Jarred Vanderbilt's work ethic
Vanderbilt, 25, is in the first season of the four-year, $48 million contract extension he signed in 2023. It's created an understandable sense of urgency got Los Angeles to get him back on the court before the 2025 NBA trade deadline rolls around on Feb. 6.
A healthy Vanderbilt is exactly who the Lakers need at the moment, but there's reason to believe trading him would be the most rational option.
If the recent injury woes spell the beginning of a trend, Vanderilt's $48 million contract could function as an albatross around Los Angeles' neck. His value on the court is all but indisputable, but with two max-level players, every penny spent on role players counts.
Thankfully, Vanderbilt is progressing well and has already gone from practicing with the South Bay Lakers to rejoining the main roster.
Vanderbilt has already been recalled from South Bay after SBL’s morning practice, making him available to participate in the Lakers’ 11 a.m. practice session as well https://t.co/qPqxgsiL2C
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 10, 2025
That's another encouraging update that should have Lakers fans eager for the final stretch ahead of the trade deadline. Vanderbilt is one of the best defenders on the roster and could pair well with Dorian Finney-Smith to create a tremendous defensive perimeter.
Compounded by the presence of Vincent and a sharpshooting wing in Dalton Knecht, the Lakers' second unit could soon become a strength rather than a weakness.
In the event that Vanderbilt doesn't play up to the level expected of him, the Lakers will have a $48 million decision to make ahead of Feb. 6. They'll need to choose between giving Vanderbilt until the offseason and risking a decline in trade value, and moving him while his value may remain higher than it could be six months from now.
Step one is getting Vanderbilt back on the court, however, and that process appears to have reached its most encouraging stage yet.