JJ Redick Shuts Down Trade Rumors Around One Lakers Contributor

The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the quieter teams throughout the 2024 NBA offseason. After all, the franchise's financial situation has limited the Lakers' free-agent options, meaning they'll have to turn to the trade market if they hope to add more reinforcements ahead of the upcoming season.

But if Los Angeles wants to target another All-Star-level player, something must be sent back the other way. The Lakers have a handful of salaries that they can move to add a noteworthy contributor, with one of the top trade candidates being Jarred Vanderbilt and the $10.7 million salary cap hit he's set to carry in 2024-25.

Vanderbilt has been a popular name listed in mock trades, however, the 25-year-old forward won't be going anywhere if head coach JJ Redick has his way.

Lakers Rumors: Redick Excited to Work with Vanderbilt

Redick recently sat down with team insider Mike Trudell to discuss the first-year coach's thoughts on individual Lakers players. When it came to Vanderbilt, the 39-year-old ex-sharpshooter said that he "can't wait" to coach the versatile forward and that he expects him "to be a big part of what we do."

Redick went as far as describing Vanderbilt as someone who "can change the energy of an entire game" outside of simply scoring the ball. Assuming that the former Kentucky Wildcat can stay healthy next year, Redick sees him as the type of player who can make an impact on a lengthy postseason run.

Although he didn't outright confirm anything, Redick likely wouldn't have showered Vanderbilt with that praise if he expected Vanderbilt to be moved this summer. Things can still change, but it looks like the ex-2018 second-rounder's spot on the team is secure for now.

In other words, Los Angeles may have to consider moving one of Gabe Vincent ($11 million) or Rui Hachimura ($17 million) instead to add a third star.

Vanderbilt's 2023-24 campaign came to a premature end when he suffered a foot injury in February. Team doctors were hoping that he'd return by the end of the season, but setbacks forced him to miss the second half of the regular season and the entire playoffs.

Limited to just 29 games due to injury, Vanderbilt averaged 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 51.8% from the floor and 29.6% from deep. Although his offensive numbers don't jump off the page, it's his ability to do a little bit of everything — from rebounding to his defense on and off the ball — cemented him as one of the Lakers' more versatile players.

Hopefully, Vanderbilt will experience a healthy 2024-25 campaign. LeBron James and Anthony Davis need all the help they can get to capture another championship banner, and having one of the NBA's most versatile defenders available on a nightly basis would go a long way to accomplish that goal.

With Vanderbilt expected to remain in L.A., Redick's team is expected to be in the championship mix next season. The Lakers head into to remainder of July with the ninth-best 2025 NBA Finals odds (+3500) on FanDuel Sportsbook.

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