After a pretty solid offseason that included a total overhaul of their frontcourt around stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the team strangely decided to extend interior Jarred Vanderbilt, whose role in the rotation seemed partial after becoming the forgotten man of this spring’s playoffs. So good or bad news?
This summer, the Lakersin addition to recruiting Jalen Hood-Schifino with the 17th pick of the draft and recover at a low price Jaxson Hayeshave signed Gabe Vincent27 years old, while offering Rui Hachimura et Austin Reaves, both aged 25, an extension of three and four years, respectively. The Los Angeles franchise also continues to lock in its workforce and ensure a certain competitiveness. Jarred Vanderbiltarrived during last season from the Utah Jazz, satisfied everyone within the Californian franchise. Result: a 4-year contract extension for $48 million, with a player option for the final year, according to information from Shams Charania of The Athletic.
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The pros and the cons
Get Vanderbilt with an average annual salary of $12 million can be seen as a good deal for both parties. He is a real defensive contribution and an excellent engine with and without the ball. It obviously has limits. His shooting is a problem, as observers saw during the first round of the playoffs when the Grizzlies completely ignored him in attack, leaving him unguarded.
Vanderbilt reserve?
Concretely, Vanderbilt will play less than last season with the explosion of Hachimura and the recent arrival of Christian Wood in addition to those of Jaxson Hayes, Cam Reddish et Taurean Prince. But nothing is set in stone and the contribution from within is undeniable in disrupting the proper circulation of the ball. The real question now is timing. THE Lakers did they really need to make this deal now? Why not wait until next summer and see how Vanderbilt will fit into the team this year, given that he was “useless” during the postseason? Anyway, fans of Lakers will have to – barring a premature trade – make do with Vanderbilt until 2027 or even 2028.
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