Lakers 2024-2025 Player Preview: Jarred Vanderbilt
The Lakers had high hopes for top perimeter defender Jarred Vanderbilt last season, but those hopes shifted due to a foot injury that sidelined him for most of the year.
Vanderbilt faced a midfoot sprain last season, still impacting his return for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Optimism surrounds his potential readiness for opening night against his former team, but he isn’t fully participating in training camp quite yet.
JJ Redick said that Jarred Vanderbilt’s return-to-play progression is going well and according to plan, and that the team will give an update in roughly two weeks. He added that they want to ensure Vanderbilt is 100% healthy, given that it’s a long season.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 18, 2024
It will be interesting to see Vanderbilt’s role upon his return, especially as players like Max Christie and the Lakers’ 2024 1st overall pick Dalton Knecht establish their own roles.
Positive signs indicate Vanderbilt could return early in the season, enhancing the team’s defensive capabilities and providing crucial depth required to compete in the Western Conference.
His versatility will give the new coaching staff flexibility in rotations, allowing them to maximize both established and young talent.
2024-25 Expectations for Jarred Vanderbilt
As the season approaches, Lakers fans eagerly await Vanderbilt’s return. While uncertainty lingers about his foot injury, his comeback will be vital for the Lakers’ success.
JJ Redick has implemented a high, fast-paced play throughout this preseason, and Vanderbilt’s skill set can be highly translatable when he’s back on the court.
This will especially be the case in transition, where the Lakers will look to capitalize on turnovers that lead to opportunities for easy points.
Scoring in transition must be a priority for the Purple and Gold. With Vanderbilt’s size and hustling ability on the defensive end, he can quickly turn defensive stops into offensive advantages, sprinting down the court to finish plays or create mismatches.
We will see how soon Vanderbilt can come back, as it’s still unclear what his return timetable is. Once he’s back, his play can deeply impact the success of the Lakers, enhancing the new coaching staff’s philosophy on both sides of the court.
