3 Lakers Leaving Los Angeles in the New Year

2025 will be the year these Lakers leave Los Angeles.
Dec 4, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA;  Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent (7) warms-up before a game against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Dec 4, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent (7) warms-up before a game against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images / Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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2. Jarred Vanderbilt

So far, this list has been a damning indictment on Rob Pelinka and the contracts he has given out in recent years. Another contract that didn't work out for the Lakers is Jarred Vanderbilt's. The defensive standout signed a four-year, $48 million deal with the Lakers before the 2023-24 season. Since then, he only made 29 appearances for the team and played 20 minutes per game.

Paying mid-level exception type of money for a player who hasn't contributed at all in the past 1.5 years is not an ideal situation. Vanderbilt hasn't played in the last year after suffering a setback in his left knee injury. He is reportedly targeting a January return, but how quickly he can ramp up and get back to his pre-injury form remains to be seen.

Even when he is healthy and available, Vando is a limited player, especially on the offensive end. He is a hesitant shooter despite the fact that he is usually left wide open. A career 29% three-point shooter, he creates significant spacing concerns for the Lakers. For a team that plays a non-shooting big man like Anthony Davis, that is a significant challenge.

Like Vincent, the calling card for Vanderbilt is his defense. He is a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions and provide intensity and playmaking. He is the athletic defensive stalwart that the Lakers conceptually need.

The Lakers are already thin in the frontcourt. They can't afford to have another unreliable, injury-prone big man in the rotation. They need someone who they can depend on throughout the regular season because of LeBron James' age and Anthony Davis' availability concerns.

Vanderbilt may be hard to trade at the deadline because of his injury concerns but due to his mid-sized salary, he will likely be used as a trade asset for a more impactful player.