By now, it has become apparent that the turning point this season for the Los Angeles Lakers was February’s Russell Westbrook trade that brought them D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley.
At first, fans may have thought Vanderbilt was merely a throw-in, but in reality, he was a hot commodity across the NBA that many teams wanted.
Buy Lakers TicketsOnce the 6-foot-8 forward became integrated into L.A.’s lineup, it was easy to see why.
Vanderbilt quickly emerged as a high-quality defender who could guard players at multiple positions. He often guards opposing forwards, but he has taken on smaller guards such as Ja Morant, whom he and the Lakers will face in the first round of the playoffs.
According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, Vanderbilt will remain with the team next season because it plans on picking up his team option.
Via The Athletic:
“Vanderbilt has a $4.7 million team option for next season, one the Lakers plan on exercising. He’s hopeful he can put down roots in Los Angeles as part of what he deems a ‘high-caliber organization.'”
The Lakers have become one of the league’s best defensive teams since the trade deadline, something that seemed unimaginable during the struggles they had on that end earlier this season and last season. Vanderbilt and his unique gifts have had a great deal to do with that improvement.
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