Jarred Vanderbilt injury update is massive news for Lakers fans

The Los Angeles Lakers have been fighting the injury bug all season. While the team has gotten mostly healthy seasons out of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, it is the supporting cast around the two superstars that has been pushed to its limit this season.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent and Christian Wood were all out for the year. Without those three, the Lakers simply do not have enough depth to go on a deep playoff run and upset the top teams in the Western Conference.

However, conflicting reports then emerged around Vincent, who may now actually return before year's end. Vincent is not the only Laker who has a newfound hope of returning this season, as Jarred Vanderbilt has also received a positive update that goes against what was previously reported.

According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, there is optimism around Vanderbilt returning to play before the end of the regular season.

"There is less clarity with Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent. Neither has been ruled out for the rest of the season, but of the two, there is more internal optimism that Vanderbilt will return before the regular season ends next month, according to team and league sources. If either or both players had been healthy, they may have altered the direction of the Lakers’ season."

There is internal hope that Jarred Vanderbilt will return to action for the Lakers

As Buha mentions, there is still not as much clarity around Vanderbilt and Vincent as the Lakers have been very tight-lipped about their injury statuses. That being said, this goes against the notion that both players are definitely out for the remainder of the year.

There was already a positive update about Vincent and if the Lakers are even more positive about Vanderbilt then that could be a great sign. Of course, optimism doesn't get the team anywhere as Vanderbilt still has to get healthy enough to return, but the Lakers obviously are not ruling it out.

Vanderbilt returning to the fold would be massive for the Lakers in the Play-In Tournament as well as any playoff series. The defensive versatility he gives the team with his ability to defend anyone one through five in the lineup is a massive boost.

Sure, Vando might be a big limited offensively, but the Lakers have plenty of offensive firepower with the likes of D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and even Rui Hachimura (not to mention the two superstars). Los Angeles doesn't need another shotmaker, it needs someone who can defend at a high level.

Vanderbilt is that person and his return would absolutely most be the most impactful for the Lake Show. Vincent returning would be a nice boost but there is no guarantee that he would have a massive impact. Vanderbilt, on the other hand, can legitimately swing a playoff series.