‘Internal Optimism’ Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt Will Return Before Regular Season Ends

According to NBA reporter Jovan Buha of The Athletic, there is internal optimism that Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt will return before the regular season ends next month.

Vanderbilt suffered a serious right foot injury on February 1 against the Boston Celtics. 

“There is more internal optimism that Vanderbilt will return before the regular season ends next month, according to team and league sources,” Buha wrote. 

Vanderbilt has played in just 29 games this season. He’s averaging 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.2 blocks while shooting 51.8% from the field and 66.7% from the free-throw line and has a plus-minus of +44. 

The Lakers are 38-32 on the season. They are in ninth place in the Western Conference standings. The team is 10th in the NBA in points per game and 23rd in points per game allowed.

According to NBA insider Anthony Irwin of Lakers Daily, the Lakers didn’t make any trades at the trade deadline due to the season being “beyond salvation” after Vanderbilt got hurt versus the Celtics. Vanderbilt is one of the top defenders in the league. 

“While the Lakers would love to get Vanderbilt back and desperately need his energy, perimeter defense and physicality on the boards, they have operated as if they aren’t going to get him back,” Irwin wrote. “Some within the organization have even explained that the Lakers’ inactivity at the deadline was due in part to thinking this season was beyond salvation after his injury — which they considered season-ending at the time.”

All signs point toward the Lakers playing in the 9-10 play-in tournament game versus the Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets. LAL doesn’t look like a title contender.

Vanderbilt has career averages of 6.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz and Lakers. He signed a four-year, $48 million extension with the Lakers in September.