After losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves last season, the Los Angeles Lakers will aim to remain in the title picture next season.
This summer, the Lakers lost Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency, and they missed out on multiple targets. However, they also made some big additions. Most notably, they signed Deandre Ayton to be their starting center after he was bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers.
As Los Angeles prepares for their first full season with Luka Doncic, they will rightfully have high hopes and aim to compete for a championship. Furthermore, after their latest injury update, the Lakers are now in an even better situation to do exactly that.
One of the Lakers’ key contributors in recent years has been Jarred Vanderbilt, who they acquired from the Utah Jazz in February 2023. When he is on the court, the Houston native makes a big impact, especially defensively.
Unfortunately for Vanderbilt and the Lakers, he has only played 65 total games across his last two seasons. However, things are starting to look up for him as he is “healthier now than he was at any point last season” (h/t Marc Stein of The Stein Line).
“I’m also hearing Jarred Vanderbilt is healthier now than he was at any point last season, which will naturally spark hope that the versatile forward seems like an offseason addition himself when training camp opens in late September,” Stein wrote.
Vanderbilt provides a major boost for the Lakers when he is on the court. If he can stay healthy next season, that would be a big help for the team as they look to go on a deep playoff run.
