Lakers insider says Purple and Gold banking on Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent's health to bolster team
LA Lakers insider Jovan Buha believes the team is banking on Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent's health to help the side get a massive boost on both ends of the floor this upcoming season. In his latest article for The Athletic where he wrote about the Purple and Gold's plans for Max Christie, the Lakers reporter also shed light on the team's roster.
Both Vanderbilt and Vincent were on the injury list for a major part of last season. The latter dealt with a left knee injury that saw him play just 11 games, while Vando, the team's defensive threat, appeared in just 29 games after going down with a heel injury.
"As things stand, the Lakers are preaching patience that the right trade will eventually materialize while betting that healthier versions of Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, the addition of Knecht, and the promotion of Christie into the rotation will shore up the group’s perimeter defense, athleticism and shooting."
Vanderbilt averaged 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists last season. More so than the numbers, the Lakers missed his versatility. The forward's size, athleticism, and motor made him a lockdown defensive threat capable of guarding multiple positions.
Vincent was brought in to facilitate the offense coming off the bench and play the non-D'Angelo Russell/Austin Reaves minutes. However, he barely had a chance to make an impact on the floor after being sidelined for the major portion of the season.
LA Lakers head coach JJ Redick says he can't wait to coach Jarred Vanderbilt
Earlier this month, newly-minted LA Lakers head coach JJ Redick shed light on Jarred Vanderbilt's health while also adding that he couldn't wait to coach him throughout the season.
"I think the unique thing about Jarred, and a number of really good teams that made deep playoff runs have guys like him, that are energy, defense, ball hawks. He can sort of … I call them energy shifters. He can change the energy of an entire game, and he doesn’t have to do it with scoring, which makes him really unique," Redick said per Mike Trudell on the Lakers' official website.
"I can’t wait to coach him. Obviously he has some rehab to do for the rest of the summer, but when he’s healthy, he’s going to be a big part of what we do."
In Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, and Max Christie, LA has a young, but promising core. Add Vanderbilt to the list, and the team boasts enough depth and potential to pull off wins even with LeBron James and/or Anthony Davis sidelined.
LA has stood pat so far this summer, and only time will tell if that move proves to be a good one. They will hope that health will not be an issue as it was last season.