No, not that Russell Westbrook trade. That one was still brutal. However, the trade that sent Westbrook to the Utah Jazz and brought back D’Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt to the Los Angeles Lakers is finally paying dividends. Russell is gone, but Vanderbilt, now healthy, has finally been able to play consistent, impactful minutes for the Lakers. And that’s a win.
LA got Vanderbilt and Russell back in the three-team trade, though the Minnesota Timberwolves got the best player in the deal. The Jazz sent them Nickeil-Alexander Walker and Mike Conley. Minnesota also got three second-rounders in the trade, and Utah got LA’s 2027 first (protected 1-4).
Regardless, the Lakers still managed to get an impactful player in the trade. It just took a few years for him to get healthy enough to play regularly.
Getting Jarred Vanderbilt back in the Russell Westbrook trade is finally paying off for Lakers
Vanderbilt’s stats rarely jump off the stat sheet. That’s never been the case with his play. But that’s also what makes him such a special player. One who is becoming more and more important for the Lakers.
Having defenders on a Luka Doncic-led team is crucial. Vanderbilt is one of those guys. He can come into the game, wreak havoc, and do his damage on the defensive end. That’s how he racks up so many minutes.
Since the turn of the new year, Vanderbilt has been playing consistent minutes in JJ Redick’s rotation, and it doesn’t look like he’ll be losing those minutes anytime soon.
From January 1 up until the present day, Vanderbilt has appeared in all 24 Lakers games, starting just one, and playing 19.0 minutes per contest.
In those 24 appearances, Vanderbilt has averaged 5.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 48.0% from deep but just 21.7% from deep range on 1.9 three-point attempts per contest.
Vanderbilt has never been a three-point shooter. And at this point in his career, it doesn’t seem like Vanderbilt will ever be a threat from beyond the arc.
But that’s okay. That’s not what the Lakers need him to be.
LA needs Vanderbilt to be a disruptor. They need him to take on important defensive matchups, shut players down, and make his impact that way.
Marcus Smart can play that role for the Lakers at the guard position. But having Vanderbilt to check wings, forwards, and even centers is very valuable. And it’s clear that Redick enjoys having him in the rotation on a regular basis.
So, though the Westbrook era in LA was a mess, at least they got Vanderbilt out of it.