The Los Angeles Lakers' lack of depth was one of the biggest factors in their disappointing first-round loss in the playoffs. Head coach JJ Redick simply didn't have enough players whom he could trust, forcing him to play a tight rotation and overextend his starters. A big reason why is that the Lakers have too many bad contracts on their books and waste roster spots on overpaid non-contributors.
While the Lakers made some additions this summer, they didn't necessarily fix this problem. Los Angeles owes Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and Dalton Knecht a combined $38 million for the 2025-26 season. Paying that much for four players who may not be in the team's playoff rotation is not a winning formula, and GM Rob Pelinka should address it before the season.
Lakers Must Trade Jarred Vanderbilt Regardless of Return
The best way to do that would be by trading Vanderbilt. Even though Kleber and Vincent are on expiring contracts, and Knecht is on his rookie-scale deal, Vando may have more trade value than all of them. The 26-year-old has one more year left on his deal after the 2025-26 campaign and a player option for the 2027-28 season, potentially making some teams less interested in his services.
At the same time, Vando can be a difference-maker when healthy. For teams looking for defensive upgrades or an identity on that end of the floor, Vanderbilt could be a decent option.
The biggest issue with Vanderbilt is the injury concerns. He has played a total of 65 regular-season games over the last two seasons. Plus, his lack of an offensive game and shooting deficiency make him a tough fit. However, he is a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions and make plays on that end of the floor.
Teams are not likely to give up assets in a trade for Vanderbilt, but he has enough upside that there could be teams willing to take his salary on. Even if the Lakers have to give up minor assets or draft capital to pull this off, they should seriously consider it.
The Lakers may be hesitant to make this deal because they may be under the impression that Vando's trade value is at its nadir. Considering that there is no guarantee that it will go higher and the fact that he is a poor fit on this team due to his offensive limitations, the Lakers can't overthink the decision to trade him at all costs.