The Los Angeles Lakers received a significant amount of criticism for their inactivity during the 2024 offseason. It was based on a rational line of thinking, as Los Angeles' offseason plan centered around a leap of faith that Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent would stay healthy and perform at the level expected of them.
Injuries nearly prevented Vanderbilt from living up to the hype, but just as the Lakers revamped the roster via the trade market, he's come into his own as a key contributor.
Vanderbilt has appeared in a mere 16 games during the 2024-25 regular season, but he's missed just two since making his debut on Jan. 25. During his time on the court, the 25-year-old has steadily built toward a recent uptick in both production and all-around quality.
It's a slow grind of a process that all should've expected considering Vanderbilt didn't make his 2024-25 regular season debut until the Lakers' 43rd game.
Despite the adversity he's faced, however, Vanderbilt is coming into his own. He's providing quality production off the bench and filling some of the voids that the Lakers were right to have concerns about on both ends of the floor.
In the process, Vanderbilt has become one of the most valuable players on a roster that spent months awaiting his arrival.
Jarred Vanderbilt has stepped up on both ends of the floor
Vanderbilt has provided the Lakers with flashes of brilliance since returning to the court. He's taken a massive step forward over the past two games, however, stepping up in virtually every phase of the game at a time when Los Angeles has been without Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves.
Vanderbilt began this recent surge with eight points, nine rebounds, five offensive boards, one assist, and two blocks in just 22 minutes during a win over the LA Clippers.
Two days later, Vanderbilt stepped up and tallied 12 points, eight rebounds, three offensive boards, one assist, two blocks, and a steal in 20 minutes against the New Orleans Pelicans. It was his best all-around showing of the season thus far.
More importantly, it was a shining example of how Vanderbilt has thrived in the areas the Lakers have struggled most to fill.
Los Angeles ranks No. 26 in second-chance points, which Vanderbilt has undoubtedly contributed to fixing with his eight offensive rebounds over the past two games. It's all but par for the course with him, as he boasts career averages of 2.0 offensive boards per game and 3.6 per 36 minutes.
The Lakers are also No. 20 in points allowed in the paint, which Vanderbilt has helped confront with four blocks over the past two outings.
Most important of all, however, is the fact that opponents are shooting 7.2 percent worse on three-point field goal attempts when Vanderbilt is the primary defender. That dominant success has enabled Los Angeles to keep opponents at bay while searching for ways to address its interior woes.
The Lakers will need to remain patient with Vanderbilt's return from injury, but he's already reminding his critics of why he's one of the most important players on the roster.
