The Los Angeles Lakers are back to being focused on their championship aspirations now that the 2025 NBA All-Star Break is in the rearview. Lakers fans are excited to see what LeBron James and Luka Doncic can accomplish down the stretch, especially with the team currently holding the sixth-best NBA Finals odds (+1800) on FanDuel Sportsbook.
While fantasizing about a potential championship run is fun, some Lakers fans are already looking ahead to the NBA offseason. After all, that's when general manager Rob Pelinka can properly build around Doncic and James — a luxury he didn't have time for before the trade deadline.
Having said that, the Lakers will have to trade away a player or two to add an impact contributor this summer. Certain players are more likely to be traded than others in a potential deal, including one struggling forward who's already sealed his fate.
Lakers News: Jarred Vanderbilt Has Already Sealed His Offseason Fate
When it comes to potential Lakers trade candidates this offseason, Jarred Vanderbilt's name should be at the top of the list.
The former 2018 second-rounder made his way to L.A. as a part of a three-way trade ahead of the 2022-23 deadline. Vanderbilt found immediate chemistry with his new teammates, earning himself a $48 million extension that will be spread across four years before the 2023-24 campaign even started.
Unfortunately, it's been mostly downhill since then. Nagging injuries to both of his feet has limited Vanderbilt to just 38 appearances in the last two seasons — including only nine during the 2024-25 schedule alone.
Unsurprisingly, the constant injury woes have caused Vanderbilt's play to drop off a cliff. It's a small sample size but the former Kentucky Wildcat is only averaging 3.1 points while shooting 42.9% from the floor and 25.0% from deep. Although he's also putting up a respectable 6.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals per contest, the fact that he's been an offensive black hole can't be ignored.
Unless Vanderbilt's offensive production sees a major uptick, bringing him back next season will be tough to justify.
The 25-year-old forward still has about $37.1 million left and three seasons (including a 2027-28 player option) on his contract and will carry an $11.5 million cap hit next season, which is a higher price than he's worth at the moment. It wouldn't be shocking if the Lakers attempted to use that salary to help land another difference-maker — especially if a potential suitor believes they can turn Vanderbilt's career around.
At the end of the day, it's clear how important the rest of the regular season and playoffs are to Vanderbilt. Failing to step up and produce down the stretch could see the struggling Lakers forward playing in another jersey next season.
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