When Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards taunted Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt by telling his former teammate that he had been “hurt for two years,” it went viral.
Edwards’s charismatic trash talk was amusing, with all due respect to Vanderbilt. Such is his nature, as the 23-year-old has one of the most magnetic personalities in the NBA. However, underneath the laughs was a nugget of truth. Vanderbilt hasn’t been seen on an NBA court, at least not in uniform, since February.
Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt Problem Has Somewhat Simple Solution
After missing the first 20 games of the 2023-24 season with a heel injury, he played in 29 of the next 30 games before being sidelined with a foot injury. As the 2024 NBA Playoffs approached, there were multiple reports of his impending return. The Lakers sincerely hoped he would be a valuable part of their playoff rotation, like he was the prior year.
That day never came.
28 days into the 2024-25 season and Vanderbilt not only remains out but his recovery is going slower than expected. Add to that Lakers head coach JJ Redick’s revelation that Vanderbilt underwent surgeries on both of his feet in the 2024 offseason, and there’s now serious concern about his future outlook. Players don’t usually spend months on an injury report when they were expected to be back earlier than that.
Jarred Vanderbilt’s ramp up after offseason foot procedures in May has gone slower than the Lakers anticipated, per the team. There have been no setbacks, however. He will be re-evaluated in a couple weeks, per the team.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 21, 2024
Comparing this stretch of his basketball journey to his college years doesn’t inspire confidence either. Vanderbilt missed the first 17 games of his freshman year with a foot injury (and that season’s NCAA Tournament with an ankle injury). All of which leads to the realization that Vanderbilt might not take the floor anytime soon. Even if he does, his durability will be in question.
It wouldn’t be so bad if Vanderbilt was a fringe roster player, but he’s emerged as a key defender. Even worse, L.A. signed him to a four-year, $48 million contract extension ahead of the 2023-24 season. Still, there might just be a somewhat solution for the Lakers.
Disabled Player Exception
The Lakers could try to push Vanderbilt’s rehab.
At the end of day though, all professional athletes are humans with physical limitations. Additionally, everyone is different, and Vanderbilt’s complicated prognosis could be evidence of that. With that being said, Los Angeles might be better off letting him sit out the season.
This is beneficial for both sides because it takes pressure off of him to rush back, which could help the recovery process. If he’s able to heal more completely, then there’s a chance that when he does return, he won’t be in and out of the lineup. Of course, it might seem like the Lakers are flushing money down the drain with this approach. However, by allowing Vanderbilt to focus on getting back healthy, they could be adding value to the back years of their investment in him.
If they take this route, they may also be able to apply for a Disabled Player Exception.
According to Section 6(c) of the 2023 NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA):
A “‘Disabling Injury or Illness’ means any injury or illness that, in the opinion of the physician… makes it substantially more likely than not that the player would be unable to play through the following June 15.”
Should the league-appointed physicians feel Vanderbilt meets this criteria, L.A. could qualify for an exception that’s:
“The lesser of (A) fifty percent (50%) of the Disabled Player’s Salary for the then-current Salary Cap Year, or (B) an amount equal to Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Salary Exception… for such Salary Cap Year.”
With Vanderbilt making $10.714 million this season and the 2024-25 non-taxpayer mid-level exception valued at $12.822 million, that means the Lakers’ exception would be half of Vanderbilt’s 2024-25 salary. That amount ($5.357 million) would be enough to lure a worthwhile free agent to the City of Angels.
Due to Rui Hachimura’s emergence as a multipositional defender, they may not feel the need to replace Vanderbilt’s skillset. There are a couple of holes that the Lakers could fill with the right personnel though. However, as appealing as this option may sound, they only have until Jan. 15 to apply.
Potential Targets
Lonnie Walker IV, who had a standout performance with the Lakers in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, might be the most popular free agent available. Currently playing for Zalgiris in the EuroLeague, the athletic wing is averaging 10.4 points per game on 47.4 percent shooting from three in 2024-25. He has an NBA buyout until Feb. 18.
Cedi Osman may or may not have had an opportunity to join the Lakers in training camp this summer. Anyhow, Osman is now in the EuroLeague, playing for Panathinaikos. A former teammate of LeBron James, the seven-year NBA veteran is a jack of all trades. This season, he’s shooting 39.0 percent from three.
The Lakers could also go outside the box, not just the country, bringing in former No. 3 pick Jahlil Okafor. Okafor now plays in the G League for the Indiana Mad Ants, where he’s averaging 16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. Though he isn’t much of a defender, he fits Redick’s desire for a big, bruising center at 6-foot-11 and 275 pounds. It doesn’t hurt that he’s skilled, too.
Then there are veterans like Robert Covington, Jae Crowder, and Oshae Brissett. Like Vanderbilt, they’re known more for their defense than offense. Stop-gap forwards, these players would allow Redick to use at least some of the schemes he imagined Vanderbilt playing in.
Their choices aren’t limitless but there are quite a few. Waiting for buyout season, when someone like Los Angeles Clippers forward PJ Tucker —a seasoned veteran and revered defender —could become available, is even a possibility. They just have to make sure they use the Disabled Player Exception by March 10.
