2023-24 statistics that prove Jarred Vanderbilt is the ultimate Lakers X-Factor
It's hard to blame injuries for a team's lack of success when the starting lineup is generally healthy. That was the case with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023-24, which had all of Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and D'Angelo Russell for at least 68 games.
A lack of depth proved devastating for the Lakers, however, with an argument to be made that no one was missed as dearly as Jarred Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt arrived in Los Angeles in 2023 and made an instant impact. His defensive energy, offensive rebounding, and general versatility enabled him to play a malleable role for a Lakers team that would go on to reach the 2022-23 Western Conference Finals.
Vanderbilt was quickly rewarded with a four-year, $48 million contract extension that kicks in this coming season.
Unfortunately, he appeared in just 29 games for the Lakers during an injury-plagued 2023-24 season. He was valuable when he was on the court, but not quite available enough for his impact to be felt over the course of the full campaign.
When looking at the type of value he provides on a statistical level, however, it becomes clear that Vanderbilt is the X-Factor for what the Lakers hope to accomplish.
8.2
Few flaws were more devastating to team success in 2023-24 than the pure inability to crash the offensive glass. Anthony Davis actually ranked No. 1 in the NBA in second-chance points, but beyond his All-NBA efforts, there was virtually nothing happening for the Lakers in that area.
That resulted in Los Angeles ranking dead last in both offensive rebounds and second-chance points at 8.2 and 10.5 per game, respectively.
Jarred Vanderbilt isn't known for his offense, but he's proven to be a high-level offensive rebounder. Through six NBA seasons, he boasts career averages of 2.0 offensive rebounds per game and 3.6 per 36 minutes.
Even during an injury-riddled 2023-24 season, Vanderbilt was second on the Lakers in offensive rebounds per game and third per 36 minutes.
In 2024-25, having Vanderbilt on the court would help the Lakers address a fatal flaw. His energy and intensity on the defensive end of the floor have consistently translated to the offensive glass, and his athleticism enables him to get back in transition rather quickly after attempting to crash the boards.
It's the type of value that the Lakers were desperate to find beyond Davis last season. Vanderbilt could be the answer to those woes.