Jarred Vanderbilt has been a noticeable absence for the Lakers this season, sidelined by two foot surgeries and a knee issue. But there’s finally a glimmer of hope. The last time we saw Vanderbilt on the floor was February 1, 2024. For a player as vital as he is to the Lakers’ lineup, it’s been frustrating to see him stuck on the sidelines. It has been 72 games since he last suited for the Lakers!

Vanderbilt’s 2023-24 season was anything but smooth, with injuries keeping him sidelined for the majority of the year. Appearing in just 29 games, he left a noticeable gap in the Lakers’ defense—something they desperately missed. It’s wild to think how pivotal he was during their run to the Western Conference Finals two seasons ago, offering that rare kind of defensive versatility every team dreams of having.

On top of everything else, Jarred Vanderbilt had been battling a lingering bone spur issue, which surgery has finally resolved. Head coach JJ Redick revealed that Vanderbilt participated in a 5-on-5 scrimmage against the Lakers’ coaching staff. The hoopster’s progressed to full-contact, full-court activities. The next step? Practicing with his teammates—a promising sign for fans eagerly awaiting his return. Redick also mentioned they’ll share another update soon, after re-evaluation in one week, so stay tuned.

Last season, Vanderbilt didn’t get much court time, but in the 29 games he played, he managed to average 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in 20 minutes per game.

Before the 2023 trade deadline, the Lakers brought him in through a three-team deal with the Wolves. Then, right before the 2023-24 season, they locked him down with a four-year, $48 million extension that’s fully guaranteed with a player option in Year 4.

Coming back to the present, the Lakers are eagerly waiting for his return. They’re counting on him to step up immediately, especially on defense, where he can make a real difference.

JJ Redick has plans for Jarred Vanderbilt

The Lakers have embraced a new identity—one where Vanderbilt’s skills should really shine. Once he returns, expect coach JJ Redick to use him all over the frontcourt, possibly even at center, as part of his vision for a more athletic, switch-heavy lineup.

Heading into the season, the Lakers hoped to upgrade their backup center position, and while that’s still on the table, they want to first see how the new identity plays out. After trading D’Angelo Russell for Dorian Finney-Smith, Jaxson Hayes didn’t even play in the following game, despite being healthy. His minutes have decreased ever since, while Christian Koloko has seen his role vanish!

Redick has shown little interest in using traditional centers, which has the front office hesitant to use trade assets on a player who may not fit.

Rebounding is a worry, though. After the loss to the Rockets, JJ Redick called out the Lakers’ struggles on the boards. Going smaller could make things worse, but the front office hopes more athleticism will solve the issue. Since acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith, though, the Lakers’ rebound rate has jumped from 27th to 8th in the league. It’s a small sample, but the early signs are promising.