Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who is recovering from offseason surgeries on both feet, has experienced a setback in his rehab process, as reported by Shams Charania and Dave McMenamin of ESPN and confirmed by the team (Twitter link via Mike Trudell).
The Lakers say that Vanderbilt developed an effusion in his left knee during his return-to-play progression. As Charania and McMenamin explain, that’s a fluid build-up.
As a result, the 25-year-old will likely be sidelined for at least another month. Vanderbilt and the Lakers are targeting a return in early January, according to both ESPN’s report and the team’s announcement.
Vanderbilt, who isn’t with the club on its current four-game road trip, is expected to be examined by team doctors when the Lakers return home after Friday’s game in Atlanta, per Charania and McMenamin.
A 2023 trade deadline acquisition, Vanderbilt has been an impactful role player for Los Angeles when healthy, providing strong, versatile defense and averaging 6.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 21.9 minutes per game. The Lakers, who had a +0.6 overall net rating last season, posted a +4.2 mark during Vanderbilt’s 581 minutes of action.
However, due to health issues, the forward has been limited to just 55 total appearances since he was traded from Utah to L.A., including 29 last season and zero so far in 2024/25.
Vanderbilt is in the first season of a four-year, $48MM contract extension that he signed with the Lakers in September 2023.
Vanderbilt and Vincent (combined $21M this year and $22M next year) with 2028 1st round unprotected pick for DFS and Dennis Schroeder? I know Brooklyn doesn’t want any long term deals on affecting their 2025 cap space, but given the way they have started so far with overachieving, this wouldn’t be a bad of a deal. I don’t believe they’ll be picking anywhere near the top 5 and Jordi Fernandez has established being competitive this year. Vando will help the defense and Vincent gets a change of scenery. The enticing part is Lakers’ 2028 1st which would be unprotected. Allows the Nets to not overpay at a few positions either. Next year’s FA class isn’t that great to spend money on.
Lakers get two guys who can contribute at key positions this year. DFS has a modest $15M player option (likely decline) but it gives them more shooting and space for AD and Lebron to operate.
Hmm. There’s something there along those lines, but lakers prolly hesitate – if they’re giving up one of their precious picks they’re gonna want longer term security than a contract like DFS’.
I agree that 2028 pick is a gold mine, especially considering after 2027, AD has a player option of $66M at age 34/35 season. That’s the only barrier IMO for this to happen.
Yeah. The value is good, but the Lakers FO have shown that they covet their draft picks to a stupid degree.
This FO has never had much in draft capital thanks to Kupchak.
Vanderbilt may now be the least tradable player in the NBA. He has had recurring Lisfranc/Jones procedures on BOTH feet, and, now we hear officially of another setback. Fifth metatarsal injuries have ended many a career, and the prognosis worsens with each recurrence. The question is not the length of his current rehab, but how likely and soon until the next problem.
Fortunately for Vanderbilt, he’s at the beginning of a 4yr-$50M contract. Lakers will have to wait out the travails in his recovery.
Not familiar with Zion I presume…