Lakers have made their stance on Jarred Vanderbilt crystal clear https://t.co/tiXX80F042— LakerTom (@LakerTom) August 13, 2025
Lakers have made their stance on Jarred Vanderbilt crystal clear
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August 13, 2025 2 Comments
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FROM THE ABOVE ARTICLE:
Jarred Vanderbilt isn’t in Lakers’ top rotation plans
As Jovan Buha explained on his podcast Buha’s Block, Vanderbilt has been “a popular guy for the fan base to throw out as that potential fifth starter.” However, when you look at his actual minutes from last season, it tells a completely different story.
In the 36 games that he was actually healthy, Vanderbilt topped 20 minutes only six times, and in five of those games, at least one starter was injured or out, meaning his heavier minutes came mainly due to absences. It is pretty obvious, JJ Redick does not see Vanderbilt breaking into the core rotation.
Buha noted, “I don’t think JJ views Vando as a starting-level player, or even a guy who’s going to be in the top six or seven in the rotation.”
Instead, Redick thinks of Vanderbilt as more of a 12- to 15-minute-per-game contributor. He’s a role player whose minutes might increase if he stays healthy or if the team adjusts its defensive approach.
Vanderbilt’s biggest hurdle has been his health; injuries have limited him to just 65 games over the past two seasons, making it hard for the team to rely on him consistently. When he is on the floor, his defensive intensity remains his strongest asset.
The Lakers do boast an offensively-loaded roster. Having a defender like Vanderbilt to lock down opponents off the bench is valuable.
That said, to increase his role, Vanderbilt needs to become more consistent offensively. Luka Doncic’s play often creates open corner three opportunities, and if Vanderbilt can work on his 3-point game, knocking down a few of those regularly, his value would grow significantly.
Looking ahead, the expected Lakers starting five features Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, and Deandre Ayton. Off the bench, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia are likely to get priority minutes, leaving Vanderbilt as a steady, defensive-minded role player.
In summary, the Lakers have made it clear: Vanderbilt is not a starter, but his defensive contributions and potential for offensive growth keep him an important part of the team’s rotation.
I think that, post coach Ham, Vando always faced an uphill climb to be a starter on this team. Reddick (despite what he says) is clearly an offense first/defense second coach. It shows in his line ups and his over-reliance on simplistic and easily scouted defensive schemes.
That being said, this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, including Jarred. Injuries suck but they happen. Surgery sucks but it happened. Now bounce back, go into the lab, get cooking and show everyone what made Minnesota and Utah regret not giving you more minutes a few years ago when he was instrumental in getting us into the playin.
Even just better paint finishes would go a long way. His game lacked lift last season and he looked like he still didn’t trust his legs. Hopefully some NBA action and a summer of work heralds the return of the Vando we all (well, maybe not all, but me anyhow) love and root for. Hitting the corner three would be gravy, baby.