Jarred Vanderbilt suffered a “significant” injury to his right foot, and the Lakers are concerned that he might not be able to return this season, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on NBA Countdown (video link).
Team officials are consulting with specialists this weekend to determine the full extent of Vanderbilt’s condition and the best course of action, Wojnarowski adds. Sources tell Woj that Vanderbilt is expected to miss “several weeks” at a minimum.
Wojnarowski also speculates that the report on Vanderbilt will affect the Lakers’ strategy heading into Thursday’s trade deadline. He notes that Vanderbilt is one of the team’s best point-of-attack defenders, along with Gabe Vincent, who has only been available for five games this season.
“This is not a marketplace right now where there are a lot of difference makers available, and the Lakers do not have significant assets to add to this team,” Wojnarowski said. “If you are bringing in a player, how much does he move the needle with a team that very well could be without Vanderbilt now for the rest of the season.”
Wojnarowski points out that general manager Rob Pelinka could be in a better position for a major deal this offseason when he’ll have three future first-round picks that can be traded.
Vanderbilt suffered a non-contact injury to the foot during the first half of Thursday’s game at Boston, according to Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times. Woike suggests the Nets‘ Dorian Finney-Smith and the Raptors‘ Bruce Brown as versatile forwards that the Lakers might target before the deadline.
Vanderbilt, who played a significant role in last season’s run to the Western Conference Finals, has only appeared in 29 games this season. Bursitis in his left heel kept him off the court until early December, but he has been part of the rotation since returning, averaging 5.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in 20 minutes per night.
Waiting for LeBron to quit
Bron isn’t going anywhere. $52 million dollar player option. What contenders are trading for him? Or is LBJ walking elsewhere next season for far less? As usual, Bron just needs more help. Only probably played with more all star team mates than any body in the history of the league. Lakers are plus 38 free throws in the 3 games so far after the latest whinging episode about officials. The 500. team who leads free throw discrepancies for how many yrs need more calls and Bron needs more help. Just ask the talking heads on espn who just love their fake false narrative GOAT discussions and ratings that come out of La La land.
Depends how much you believe Lebron when he says he wants to play with his son. I think people miss the overall goal when he says that. I think he wants to be there to guide Bronny through his NBA start. Lakers aren’t in a position to take a chance on Bronny. A contender without the need for instant returns on a 25-40 pick? Different story.
If anyone in the NBA can afford to play on a MLE… Just saying I wouldn’t be mind blown by that outcome. Just saying a team with a lot of picks, a contender, and a team that has enough capital and established talent to take a flyer on Bronny – OKC
Giddey, Dort, Bertans, 2-3 picks depending on which picks and the protections for Lebron? Add a buyout guard? Might be a slight overpay and hurt chemistry for a bit but SGA, Lebron, Chet, Williams…
if there was a 5-4-1 player out for the year on any other team.. would there be update reports like this? …. sigh
You must be new here
C’mon, he’s at 5-5-1
Winning the offseason. Losing the regular season. Lakers bball
Oh s**t laker down. Did an all star spot just open up?