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.

+1.02

One of the biggest areas of weakness for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023-24 was the absence of a reliable wing defender. It not only resulted in high-level scorers torching the Lakers defense, but shooters knocking down outside shots at virtual will.

Jarred Vanderbilt was limited to just 29 appearances in 2023-24, but when he was active, his impact was clear as one of the best defensive players in the NBA.

Los Angeles finished the 2023-24 regular season ranked No. 28 in three-point field goals allowed per game and per 100 possessions. It was No. 25 in opponent three-point field goal percentage, thus offering firm proof that contesting shots was as big of an issue as allowing them to be attempted.

Vanderbilt provides assistance in both areas, with the length and athleticism to get a hand in a shooter's face, and the IQ and technique to run an opponent off the three-point line.

The D-LEBRON metric is interesting, but even if you're not a fan of all-inclusive statistics, Vanderbilt's wing defense is essential to the Lakers' success. He's not only a gifted defender, but often the last line of perimeter defense for a team that's struggled to find consistency in that area.

If the Lakers are going to return to the ranks of the contenders, then Vanderbilt remaining healthy will be absolutely essential.

51.3

An argument could be made that no one suffered more from Jarred Vanderbilt struggling to remain healthy than Anthony Davis. Davis put together an All-Defensive First Team level season, but was forced to play a role that asked him to effectively do everything on defense.

With Davis ranking No. 1 among centers and finishing in the top 20 overall in three-point field goals contested, the Lakers struggled to protect the rim, allowing 51.3 points in the paint per game.

Los Angeles ranked No. 21 in the NBA in points allowed in the paint in 2023-24. This was due in no small part to Davis being tasked with filling the void left by the injured Vanderbilt, which often meant playing along the defensive perimeter.

With no other rim protector on the roster, teams were able to get into the paint and score at virtual will as Davis was forced to cover 24 feet in any direction on any given possession.

With Vanderbilt back in the rotation, Davis would spend significantly less time away from the rim. This could enable him to settle in a bit more as a paint-protector, thus limiting the chances he has to take along the perimeter as Vanderbilt absorbs that responsibility as a Swiss army knife of a defender.

The Lakers need to add personnel who can continue to assist in this area of the game, but with a healthy Vanderbilt on the court, Davis' job as rim protector becomes far more manageable.

4.2

The Los Angeles Lakers are a better team when Jarred Vanderbilt plays than when he doesn't. It's a simple statement that's supported by a bevy of statistics, with few proving more significant than a simple look at the on-off marks from this past season.

In 2023-24, the Lakers were 4.2 points per 100 possessions better when Vanderbilt was on the court than when he wasn't—which begins and ends on defense.

In 2023-24, the Lakers allowed 115.1 points per 100 possessions when Vanderbilt wasn't on the court. When he was, that number took a nosedive to 109.9, marking a decrease of 5.2 points per 100 possessions based solely on Vanderbilt being active.

It's perhaps the greatest testament to not only his individual defensive ability, but how important he is to maximizing the Lakers' potential as a team.

The unfortunate reality is that Vanderbilt only played 68 possessions with the starting lineup of D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis. The Lakers had a net rating in the 82nd percentile of the NBA when he did, however, and finished in the 92nd percentile in 2022-23—thus showing at least some degree of sustained success.

Swap Vanderbilt into the starting lineup and the Lakers play like a genuine contender. It might sound like an outlandish statement, but the statistics support the belief.