Jarred Vanderbilt came into the 2025-26 season with something he hasn’t had in a while - a fully healthy offseason. That might not sound like much, but for a player whose game is built on energy, effort, and defensive versatility, it’s a crucial foundation. And it’s one that had Lakers head coach JJ Redick eyeing Vanderbilt as a key piece in his rotation heading into the year.
Redick has been vocal about Vanderbilt’s value, calling him a potential difference-maker on both ends of the floor. That’s not just coach-speak - Vanderbilt’s defensive instincts, rebounding, and ability to switch across multiple positions give the Lakers a unique tool in their toolbox. But lately, that tool hasn’t been in use.
Since LeBron James returned to the lineup, Vanderbilt has found himself on the outside looking in. He’s fallen out of the rotation, a tough pill for any competitor to swallow - especially one who came into the season healthy and ready to contribute.
Redick, to his credit, hasn’t sugarcoated the situation. Before the Lakers’ recent matchup with the Phoenix Suns, he explained the decision and praised Vanderbilt’s professionalism throughout the process.
“He’s been good. He’s been a pro,” Redick said.
“He’s been great in the most recent stay-ready that we had this week. He was great.
He’s been a great teammate, so no surprise there.”
Redick also made it clear that this isn’t about effort or attitude - it’s about fit and numbers. With the team leaning into a nine-man rotation, Vanderbilt became the odd man out. Not because he wasn’t doing the work, but because the rotation tightened up once LeBron came back, and the Lakers had to make tough decisions with a healthier roster.
“I communicated to him before LeBron came back that there were certain things he needed to be able to do consistently to play,” Redick explained. “There was potentially gonna be a numbers crunch… and that was just the reality.”
It’s the kind of transparency players appreciate, even when the outcome isn’t in their favor. Vanderbilt, for his part, has handled it like a pro - staying ready, staying engaged, and staying supportive.
But Redick also hinted that this isn’t a permanent situation. Injuries happen.
Lineups change. And when they do, Vanderbilt’s number could be called again.
“When you’re winning games, it’s hard to re-do the rotation mid-winning streak,” Redick said. “There were some lineup combinations when we were injured that we had to go away from, and he was sort of caught up as an innocent bystander. I certainly have empathy for him.”
Vanderbilt’s defensive presence has never been in question. He brings the kind of hustle and activity that doesn’t always show up in the box score but changes the energy on the floor.
The issue - and it’s been a recurring one - is on the offensive end. Teams have been more than willing to sag off Vanderbilt, clog the paint, and dare the Lakers to beat them from the perimeter.
That kind of spacing issue can stall an offense, especially when the Lakers are trying to maximize LeBron’s and Anthony Davis’ touches in the halfcourt.
Still, with the way injuries have already impacted the Lakers this season, it’s not a stretch to say Vanderbilt will get another shot. And when he does, Redick and the team will need him to be ready to contribute - not just defensively, but with enough offensive impact to keep the floor balanced.
For now, Vanderbilt is focused on what he can control. After a recent loss - one filled with self-inflicted mistakes - he pointed to execution as an area the team needs to clean up. That’s not just coach-speak; it’s the kind of accountability that veterans bring to the locker room.
The Lakers know what Vanderbilt brings. And while he may be out of the rotation for now, the NBA season is long.
Roles shift. Opportunities come.
And when they do, Vanderbilt’s readiness - and resilience - could be exactly what this Lakers team needs.