The Lakers have been on a roll as of late, but will now have to keep it going without a prominent power forward. Jarred Vanderbilt will miss the next few weeks with a serious right foot injury—one that, according to Adrian Wojnarowski, could be season-ending.
Reporting on ABC NBA Countdown on Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt’s “significant” foot injury and concern he’s lost for season: pic.twitter.com/onCOWnna4c
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 4, 2024
The news comes at a rough time for both Vando and the Lakers. Over his last six games, the 24-year-old averaged 11.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 steals per contest, including a season-high 17 points against the Bulls on Jan. 25. He just recorded 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three steals as the Lakers stunned the league-best Boston Celtics on Thursday. The team currently ranks 15th in defensive rating, with Vanderbilt playing a major role on that end of the floor. With him now out of the lineup—and the Lakers’ wing depth already wearing thin—which players need to man up in his absence?
Los Angeles Lakers: Who Must Step up with Jarred Vanderbilt Out?
Rui Hachimura
Rui Hachimura has had a polarizing season through no fault of his own. Fluctuating roles and rotations are why the 24-year-old has averaged 23 minutes per game across 37 contests (8 starts). In that time, he put up 11.4 points per game (.494/.391/.754 splits), 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists. Those numbers may seem fine—until you remember he’s fourth on the team’s payroll and coming off the bench. Though he hasn’t necessarily delivered a breakout season, Hachimura is doing what he can with the minutes he’s earned. Vanderbilt’s absence, however, will likely present more opportunities for Rui to start and close games—unless Ham decides to give those opportunities to Taurean Prince. He’s displayed a knack for scoring at all three levels and, more importantly, getting key stops on defense.
Hachimura gives the Lakers two-way versatility up front, which is needed when Anthony Davis and LeBron James aren’t on the floor. Though he’s fulfilled his role off the bench, he’s also made a case to be the full-time starting four. These next few games could help his cause. The Lakers will need all of the frontcourt help they can get. Hachimura can ensure that with his production on both ends of the floor.
Max Christie
At 20 years old, Max Christie has improved and matured quickly throughout his second season as a Laker. He is averaging five points, three rebounds and one assist on 42% shooting from the field and 35% from three. Similar to Hachimura, a logjam in the backcourt has led to sparse opportunities for the former second-round pick. However, he’s done enough to warrant significant minutes on big stages. Case in point, Christie recorded six points, two blocks, an assist, a rebound and a steal in 26 minutes against the Knicks on Saturday.
Step-back? Still got the block.@MichelobULTRA | #UltraMoment pic.twitter.com/zJHGAEf1vD
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 4, 2024
Timely plays like the one above indicate how much his skills have grown. However, what’s even more impressive is his basketball IQ, as seen in this postgame interview.
Max Christie breaks down the defensive scheme to slow down Jalen Brunson and what it meant to play in a big game at Madison Square Garden. pic.twitter.com/VBam3EErpG
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 4, 2024
Christie is one of the taller Laker guards at 6-foot-6, and he’s already risen up to the challenge of defending the league’s best guards. With Vanderbilt joining Cam Reddish and Gabe Vincent on the sidelines, it wouldn’t be surprising if he gets more minutes in the coming games. The young buck has shown he can hang with the best of them. These next few weeks will serve as an excellent way for Christie to gain confidence and continue developing his craft.
Taurean Prince
Finally, like it or not, the eighth-year vet will have to shoulder some of the load while Vanderbilt recovers. Taurean Prince has drawn ire from Laker fans for his subpar work in a starting spot. He is averaging 9.7 points while shooting 47% from the field and nearly 39% from three-point range. The Lakers signed because of his perimeter prowess, which he showed while with the Hawks, Timberwolves, Nets and Cavs. Though he has remained a marksman this season, he’s still inconsistent, leading fans to question why he continues to start.
The Athletic’s Jovan Buha pointed out that Prince still played more minutes off the bench than Hachimura on Saturday (33 vs. 19, respectively). Ham outlined his reasoning below:
“Taurean, he has to do it on both sides of the ball. I just felt like him coming off the bench just would allow him to not only shore up our bench in terms of a defensive presence but also allow him to get some buckets, too.”
Prince was efficient in his first game off the bench this year. He put up 16 points (6/10 FG, 3/6 3PT), two rebounds and a block against New York. He could very well lead the team’s second-string defense going forward—helping a unit that ranks third in defensive rating (52.1). Prince can serve this team better off the bench and excel in the role he was meant to have.
The Last Word on the Lakers
The injury to Vanderbilt has significant implications for the Lakers’ defense. His contributions go well beyond the box score, and he played an integral role for them when he returned from a similar setback. LA is reportedly looking at defensive wings as the trade deadline looms. Right now, the Lakers remain focused on their current personnel. Look for Hachimura, Christie and Prince to increase their contributions behind James, Davis, Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell.
