NBA Notes: Lakers, Jarred Vanderbilt, Cavs, Raptors

Lakers

• Forward Jarred Vanderbilt appears to be closing in on a season debut and is “progressing according to plan,” according to coach Darvin Ham, via Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet. Vanderbilt has yet to play this season after suffering a left heel injury.
• LeBron James was the exact age of Michael Jordan, minus one day, when each suffered the worst loss of his career. Our Brandon Santomauro examines here.
• The Lakers are among the teams to advance to the Elite Eight of the In-Season Tournament, as we relayed here.
• Los Angeles is believed to have an interest in available Bulls guard Zach LaVine. But it would probably cost the Lakers guard Austin Reaves, as we relayed here.

Cavaliers

Guard Donovan Mitchell said the Cavaliers can keep building on their win over the Hawks on Tuesday despite not advancing in the In-Season Tournament.

“You want to play, win the championship, make the extra bread, but you look at the little things that we’ve done over the past few days and that’s what we want to continue to build on,” Mitchell said. “We didn’t get this championship so now the main goal is to focus on the next one and continue to build. I’m not going to sit here and be upset because at the end of the day we won. That’s the end goal. This was a good win.”

• Guard Ty Jerome is expected to miss more time with a severe ankle sprain, as we relayed in our Cavs notes. Meanwhile, forward Dean Wade (ankle) is listed as out for Thursday’s home game vs. the Trail Blazers.
• Once again, in case you missed it, we have the latest Cavs dribbles here.

Raptors

• Raptors forward Pascal Siakam seems to be drawing plenty of trade interest, which is really nothing new. Per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Kings, 76ers, Hawks and Kings would be among the teams with interest should Siakam become available.
• One NBA executive told Scotto: “If Toronto is willing to pay up for Siakam, they’ll keep him. I think the same goes for (OG Anunoby), too.”