Tag: Jarred Vanderbilt

Bleacher Report proposes Lakers trade four players for Zach LaVine

A Bleacher Report writer suggested the Lakers make this questionable trade to land two-time All-Star Zach LaVine.

Are the Los Angeles Lakers going to make any moves this offseason? We’re roughly midway through the summer, and yet they haven’t brought in a single player from another team.

Their only newcomers who are on standard contracts are draft picks Dalton Knecht and Bronny James. While Knecht, the No. 17 pick in June’s draft, was expected by many to be a top-10 pick and is considered arguably the most NBA-ready incoming rookie, he cannot necessarily be expected to make a sizable impact this coming season.

Just about everyone agrees the Lakers need a two-way wing and a defensive center. Some would also say they need a legitimate third scorer, if not a legitimate third star.

To that end, Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report suggested the Lakers ship out four players in return for the Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine, a player they’ve been repeatedly been linked to.

Via Bleacher Report:

“The Trade: Los Angeles Lakers acquire Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls for Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jaxson Hayes,” wrote Hughes.

“LeBron James and Anthony Davis are still as good as it gets among NBA duos, and the Lakers can’t go into the 2024-25 season without taking a big swing at supporting them with more high-end talent.

“You’ll notice we didn’t say ‘high-end availability and a demonstrated capacity to drive winning.’ That’s because Zach LaVine, who’s been viewed as something pretty close to trade poison over the last year or so, doesn’t have those things. What he does have is elite scoring skill, as demonstrated by his pair of All-Star nods and 2022-23 average of 24.8 points on a 48.5/37.5/84.8 shooting split.”

LaVine is a somewhat polarizing player. While he is a proven scorer and a pretty efficient one, as Hughes pointed out, it is unclear whether the numbers he puts up can make an impact on a winning team. He has played on a team that finished with a winning record just once — that was in the 2021-22 season when the Bulls won 26 of their first 36 games but lost 15 of their final 22.

Then there is his injury history. He has appeared in over 67 games just once in the last eight seasons, and he played in just 25 games this past season.

If that wasn’t enough, the trade Hughes suggested would leave Los Angeles bereft of frontcourt depth while jettisoning arguably their only effective wing or perimeter defender in Vanderbilt.

JJ Redick feels Jarred Vanderbilt will be big for the Lakers

New Lakers head coach JJ Redick sounds like a big believer in forward Jarred Vanderbilt.

A somewhat forgotten man for the Los Angeles Lakers this past season was forward Jarred Vanderbilt. While he was a big spark plug for them the previous year after arriving in the Russell Westbrook trade, he was riddled with injuries during the 2023-24 campaign.

First, there was the heel bursitis that cost him the first several weeks of the season. Then, just as he was finding his game in late January, he sprained his foot and was lost for the rest of the schedule.

New Lakers head coach JJ Redick told Mike Trudell during an interview that Vanderbilt will play a big role in what the team does this coming season.

Via Lakers.com:

“I think the unique thing about Jarred, and a number of really good teams that made deep playoff runs have guys like him, that are energy, defense, ball hawks,” said Redick. “He can sort of … I call them energy shifters. He can change the energy of an entire game, and he doesn’t have to do it with scoring, which makes him really unique. I can’t wait to coach him. Obviously he has some rehab to do for the rest of the summer, but when he’s healthy, he’s going to be a big part of what we do.”

Vanderbilt quickly became a fan favorite in Los Angeles in the spring of 2023 because of his defensive activity and versatility and overall energy. He has the ability to make a major impact on the boards, and this past season, he started to find ways to be effective in the Lakers’ transition offense prior to his foot injury.

If he stays healthy and continues to find ways to contribute offensively, he should become a definite X-factor for the Purple and Gold.

Jarred Vanderbilt is frustrated about his injury-riddled season

Jarred Vanderbilt feels that if he were healthy this season, he could’ve changed how things turned out for the Lakers.

There are some what-ifs regarding the way the 2023-24 season went for the Los Angeles Lakers. One thing people have wondered about is the rash of injuries the team suffered to some of its complementary players and how much better it would’ve done if it weren’t for those injuries.

One key player hit especially hard by the injury bug was forward Jarred Vanderbilt. He was the hidden gem in last year’s Russell Westbrook trade, and he played a sizable role in helping L.A. get to the Western Conference finals.

But he dealt with heel bursitis early this season, which prevented him from making his 2023-24 regular-season debut until Dec. 2. Then, just as he was starting to truly get into rhythm and play well, he suffered a midfoot sprain in early February, and just like that, his season was over prematurely.

He expressed his disappointment with not being available on a consistent basis for his team.

Via Lakers Nation:

“It definitely was frustrating not being available,” Vanderbilt said. “It’s been a long year dealing with injuries and trying to get healthy to be there for the team. So it definitely was frustrating, especially knowing I could have contributed to some of the stuff we were lacking this year. So definitely was frustrating.”

He was listed as questionable for Game 5 of L.A.’s first-round playoff series versus the Denver Nuggets, but he didn’t play in the team’s postseason finale.

“The thing with foot injuries is they just take time,” he said. “I put myself in position to be prepared and give myself the best chance to potentially play and I think attacking the full rehab process and doing everything possible that I could to put myself on the floor. So that was the process.”

Vanderbilt’s defense and overall energy definitely could’ve helped against Denver, especially considered how Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. killed the Lakers.

It is almost a certainty he will remain with the Lakers moving forward, as he agreed to a generous contract extension last summer that runs through the 2027-28 season.

Darvin Ham is ‘highly unlikely’ to return as head coach of the Lakers, per reports. Here is why.

Darvin Ham may have already coached his final game for the Los Angeles Lakers.

After two years with the organization, Darvin Ham may have already coached his final game for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Despite an improbable run to the Western Conference Finals in 2023 as well as a championship in the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament, the Lakers arguably underperformed relative to expectations during Ham’s time as head coach.

Already reportedly on the hot seat amid a disconnect earlier this season, a first-round exit makes his case to return even less compelling.

Following another elimination against the Denver Nuggets in a second straight postseason for Los Angeles, it seemed possible that Ham had already accepted his own fate with the franchise. He reflected on his experience with the team, calling it a “hell of a two years” as head coach.

Some of the initial reporting provided further context as to why Ham may already know he could be on the way out as the head coach.

For example, the players reportedly felt the coaching staff held an “absence of effective direction” and the team occasionally felt they won games on their own (via The Athletic)

“[By] the time the Lakers’ season ended in Game 5 against Denver on Monday night, when Jamal Murray’s second game-winner of the first-round series sent the Lakers home less than a year after the Nuggets swept them last May, there were strong signs within the organization that Ham would be deemed most responsible.”

Per the report, Ham’s status as head coach is in “serious peril” and it is “highly unlikely” that he will return to the organization next season.

Other criticism included his “fluctuating rotations, game plans and lack of adjustments” during the regular season and playoffs. While players reportedly had “tremendous respect” for Ham as a person, they felt they needed someone to actually coach them as well.

Another report from Dave McMenamin was just as damning for the coach. Ham’s job status was described as “very much in jeopardy” heading into the offseason (via ESPN):

“The internal expectations to win the championship in June only heightened, while the fallout from shuffling his lineup — first benching Reaves and later D’Angelo Russell while sticking with Taurean Prince even after Jarred Vanderbilt had returned from a left heel injury that cost him the first 20 games of the season — hurt Ham’s reputation both inside and outside the organization, sources told ESPN.”

His “lack of accountability” came into question, as did his inability to settle on a starting lineup.

With all that in mind, fans of the team can likely expect a new head coach next season. As for the rest of the roster, though, that is far more uncertain.

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Jarred Vanderbilt is questionable for Game 5 between Lakers and Nuggets

Will forward Jarred Vanderbilt finally make his return to game action on Monday?

The Los Angeles Lakers earned themselves another playoff game when they averted a sweep in Game 4 of their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets. Now, the challenge for them is to actually make this series interesting, if not very competitive.

Game 5 will be in Denver on Monday, and the Lakers haven’t won there since the last game of the 2021-22 season. On that night, both teams sat most of their regulars though, so the last real win for L.A. there came on Feb. 12, 2020.

But the team could be getting some help. Defensive standout Jarred Vanderbilt has been upgraded to questionable for Game 5.

Vanderbilt was originally planning on returning earlier in this series. He has been out since early February due to a midfoot sprain.

Even if he plays just a few minutes on Monday, the forward’s defense, rebounding and energy could be very helpful for a Lakers team that is still very much up against it.

Meanwhile, backup big man Christian Wood was cleared to play in Game 4, but he didn’t get into the game. He isn’t listed on the Lakers’ injury report for Game 5.

Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt will not return to Lakers for Game 3

The Lakers’ frontcourt depth will remain depleted in Game 3 versus the Nuggets.

The Los Angeles Lakers are playing for their playoff lives. Even though they will not face elimination in Game 3 of their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, it sure feels like it.

They blew double-digit leads in both of the first two games of the series, including a 20-point second-half lead in Game 2. At this point, it seems the only way the Lakers could beat the Nuggets is if both Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray break their legs and are unable to play and the Lakers run up a 50-point lead.

There was hope that Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt, two of their key frontcourt reserves, would be able to return from injury in Game 3. They have been out since February because of a knee ailment and midfoot sprain, respectively.

But the cavalry will not be coming, at least not yet. Both remain out for Game 3 at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.

Los Angeles’ bench has produced next to nothing in the first two games. Only one of its reserves — forward Taurean Prince — has scored, and it is a big reason the team is averaging 101 points per game in the series after putting up 120.3 per game in the regular season after the All-Star break.

Jarred Vanderbilt could return for Lakers as soon as Game 3

Forward Jarred Vanderbilt, one of the Lakers’ most valuable non-stars, may finally be nearing a return to game action.

The Los Angeles Lakers are licking their wounds after their latest loss to the Denver Nuggets. This time, they blew a 20-point third-quarter lead and lost on a Jamal Murray game-winning jumper at the buzzer, putting them behind 2-0 in their best-of-seven first-round series.

It is virtually impossible to picture them making this series competitive, and it is difficult to imagine them winning even one game at this point. Los Angeles, of course, was swept by Denver in last year’s Western Conference finals and has lost 10 straight contests to Denver.

The team needs help in the worst way. Fortunately, it may get some help very soon.

Jarred Vanderbilt, the Lakers’ defensive ace who has been out since early February with a midfoot sprain, could return to game action as soon as Game 3, which will take place on Thursday at Crypto.com Arena.

Via ESPN:

“Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, sidelined since Feb. 1 because of a right midfoot sprain, is targeting a return as soon as Game 3 of Los Angeles’ first-round series against the Denver Nuggets, a source familiar with the situation told ESPN,” wrote Dave McMenamin.

“Vanderbilt has been ramping up his on-court workouts in the past two weeks, the source told ESPN, and participated in one of his most intense workouts yet Monday morning at Ball Arena.

“Vanderbilt’s availability will be determined based on how his body responds in the coming days leading up to Thursday’s Game 3 in Los Angeles.”

Due in part to injuries to Vanderbilt and Christian Wood, the Lakers’ bench has been rather weak. In two games so far this series, only one of their reserves — Taurean Prince — has scored a point. No one else off the pine has made any tangible impact whatsoever.

Wood could also make a return in Game 3, and while it may be unrealistic to expect either player to make an impact right away, it’s always possible at least one of them will make a small contribution that would help.

Jarred Vanderbilt was seen in a walking boot on Friday in Denver

Has there been any change in Jarred Vanderbilt’s status or rehab process?

The Los Angeles Lakers hit the court on Friday to make preparations ahead of their first-round playoff series versus the Denver Nuggets, which begins on Saturday.

Even though many pundits feel they don’t have any real chance of winning this series, they enter the playoffs in a relatively good place. They have won 12 of their last 15 games, and they’re mostly healthy right now.

The one big exception to them being mostly healthy is forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who is arguably their best perimeter defender and one of their most energetic players overall. It has seemed lately as if he has been slowly inching toward a return after suffering a foot injury in early February, but his return hasn’t been imminent.

He was seen wearing a walking boot on Friday in Denver.

While it is a scene that will cause Lakers fans to worry, head coach Darvin Ham said that the walking boot is for precautionary reasons and that the forward hasn’t suffered a setback.

Interestingly, Ham also said Vanderbilt is day-to-day at this point.

Reportedly, the Lakers were targeting the first week or two of April for his return. A more recent report indicated he could still return during the first round of the playoffs.

He is officially listed as out for Game 1 versus the Nuggets.

An update on Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt

How much closer is Jarred Vanderbilt to returning to game action for the Lakers?

The Los Angeles Lakers have won eight of their last nine games and 10 of their last 13, and it looks like they’re ramping up ahead of the postseason.

They recently welcomed back guard Gabe Vincent, who had been out for three months and had only played five games to that point because of a persistent knee problem. Once Vincent gets up to speed, he should provide the perimeter defense they have been lacking.

When it comes to perimeter defense, L.A. has really missed forward Jarred Vanderbilt and his ability to effectively guard multiple positions. He has reportedly been slowly making progress, and the team has reportedly targeted the next week or so for his return.

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Vanderbilt is working “towards full sprinting and jumping” but hasn’t been cleared for contact activities.

The Lakers are expected to reevaluate Vanderbilt early next week. They have five games left in their regular-season schedule. With a 44-33 record, they remain in ninth place in the Western Conference.

Ham: Jarred Vanderbilt will be reevaluated early next week

Jarred Vanderbilt return to game action may be coming rather soon.

The Los Angeles Lakers seem to be perking up now that it is spring and the NBA postseason is right around the corner. They have won seven of their last eight games and nine of their last 12, which is as good a stretch as they have had since the 2020-21 season.

On Sunday, they received a helping hand when guard Gabe Vincent, who had played in just five games to that point because of a nagging knee problem, returned to game action. His defense and overall grittiness can help a team that has lacked those qualities for much of the year.

Forward Jarred Vanderbilt also has been inching toward a return. Head coach Darvin Ham said he will be reevaluated early next week.

Vanderbilt has been out for about two months with a right midfoot sprain. At the time he sustained the injury, it was feared he might be out for the season, and it was thought surgery may have been necessary.

Instead, last week he began running as part of the next step of his rehab plan.

According to beat writer Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Lakers are targeting the next week or so for the supersub’s return.