With the end of the regular season only a few weeks away, there are several Los Angeles Lakers who played their last game of 2023-24. Per Bill Reiter of CBS Sports, Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent have been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Lakers Trio Ruled Out for Remainder of Season
Christian Wood
Wood had been dealing with knee swelling since the All-Star Break. On Monday, it was reported that the veteran big man had opted to undergo surgery.
Still just 28 years old, Wood appeared in 50 games for the Lakers this season. He came off the bench in all but one. Playing 17.4 minutes per game —his lowest number since 2018-19 —Wood averaged 6.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per game. In what’s become a theme for the Lakers’ recent acquisitions, Wood had a tough time beyond the arc, shooting 30.7 percent from 3.
Signing with the Lakers on a veteran minimum, he unlikely did much to increase his earning potential next season. However, to be fair, L.A. didn’t feature him in the way he had become accustomed to. To that point, he may opt to test free agency this offseason. Nonetheless, interest may be light for the scoring-minded Wood.
Jarred Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt could theoretically return before the season’s end, per Reiter. However, he’s not expected to. The defensive-minded big man has been limited to 29 games this season a foot sprain.
Averaging 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 20.0 minutes per game, Vanderbilt’s impact isn’t best measured statistically. An athletic and determined defender, the former second-round pick guards his man as if he carries a chip on his shoulder. It’s that level of tenacity, not just ability, that makes him a valuable piece of the team’s rotation.
Playing over 70 games in each of the past two seasons prior to 2023-24, there may not be a high level of long-term concern regarding his injury. However, his absence has been and will continue to be felt in the short term. The 24-year-old is under contract with the Lakers through the 2027-28 season.
Gabe Vincent
Vincent’s absence may be the most disappointing of all, as L.A.’s perimeter defense has been leaky all season. This is the area where Vincent was supposed to make his mark on the team but a knee injury limited him to just five games. Signed to a three-year, $33 million contract last summer, Vincent will look to redeem himself next season.
If the Lakers keep him, that is. The California native is expendable because of his injury and an affordable contract. He was already a trade candidate ahead of the Feb. 9 deadline.
