How did the Lakers get Vanderbilt?

Jarred Vanderbilt is an American basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is renowned for his relentless motor and hustle plays.

Vanderbilt’s basketball journey began at Victory Prep Academy in Houston, Texas, where he emerged as a five-star athlete. In his senior high school season, Vanderbilt averaged an impressive 28.5 points, 13.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game. His well-rounded game, especially rebounding abilities and defensive awareness caught the attention of numerous universities, and he eventually committed to Kentucky University.

Unfortunately for him, his one season at Kentucky was plagued by injuries, limiting his on-court appearances to just 14 games. Yet, coming off the bench, Vanderbilt averaged 17.0 minutes per game, showcasing defensive tenacity which eventually became his identity in the NBA. Despite the restricted playing time, Vanderbilt averaged 5.9 points and an impressive 7.9 rebounds per game in college.

Since being drafted in 2018, Vanderbilt has established himself as a defensive minded forward. His contributions on the court go beyond the stat sheet and it is his intangibles that make him an important role player.

As Vanderbilt continues his NBA journey, his defensive prowess remains a key factor in his success on the court. In the 2022/23 NBA season, he averaged 7.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assist and 1.1 steals per game.

Jarred Vanderbilt Trade

Source: Getty Images

In February 2023, Jarred Vanderbilt was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Russell Westbrook trade.

In this three-team trade centered around Westbrook, Lakers received guard D'Angelo Russell from the Minnesota Timberwolves, along with guard Malik Beasley and forward Jarred Vanderbilt from the Utah Jazz. In exchange, the Lakers sent guard Russell Westbrook, forward Juan Toscano-Anderson, and center Damian Jones to the Utah Jazz.

As part of the deal, a protected first-round pick was also sent to Utah, and a future second-round pick was included in the trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. This trade was part of the Lakers' strategy to enhance their team dynamics, reflecting a deliberate effort in shaping their roster for improved performance.

Since joining the Lakers, Vando has proven to be a crucial asset, particularly with his standout defensive skills. His contributions were pivotal in propelling the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals in 2023.