Report: Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt Could Return This Season

According to NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt could return this season. 

Vanderbilt has been out since February 1 with a right foot injury.  

“I’ve heard Vando is progressing upward,” Buha said. “It sounds like he’s going to be back this season. It’s just a matter of timing. Is it two weeks from now? Is it four weeks from now? There is a big difference in terms of when he returns.”

Vanderbilt is one of the best defenders in the NBA. The Lakers are a more dangerous defensive team when the lefty is playing. 

The 24-year-old Vanderbilt is averaging 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.2 blocks this season while shooting 51.8% from the field and 66.7% from the free-throw line. He has a plus-minus of +44. 

The Lakers acquired Vanderbilt from the Utah Jazz last season. The forward helped Los Angeles reach the 2023 Western Conference Finals, where LAL lost to the Denver Nuggets in four games.

Vanderbilt signed a four-year, $48 million extension with the Lakers in September. He’s making $4.6 million this season. 

The Lakers are in ninth place in the Western Conference standings. If the season ended today, LAL would face the Golden State Warriors in the 9-10 play-in tournament game. 

A Kentucky product, Vanderbilt has career averages of 6.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Jazz and Lakers.