"It was tough" - Lakers' Jarred Vanderbilt opens up on rehab struggles & addresses fans’ frustration over return updates

The LA Lakers are confident they will have Jarred Vanderbilt back on the floor Saturday against the Golden State Warriors. Vanderbilt has not played since February of the 2023-24 NBA season, but that will change over the weekend as he makes a return to the lineup.

The defensive forward has focused on getting into shape following multiple foot surgeries. His absence has been felt by the team, as he is one of their best defensive players.

In an interview with Khobi Price of the Southern California News Group, Vanderbilt said rehab has been tough on him. It took him almost a year to get back into shape. The 6-foot-8 forward is excited and looking forward to helping the team in any way he can.

According to the forward, he knew his absence would be extended after another surgery. Vanderbilt couldn't deny the frustration he felt during the process.

“It was tough,” Vanderbilt said. “I feel like I just found my rhythm at that time and [was] playing some of my best basketball. So it was tough at the time. Obviously, we elected to not go the route of getting it repaired. And then I did. So once you factor those in, then I kind of realized the timetable that it would kind of be so.

Throughout his rehab process, fans aired their frustration regarding the timetable for his return. However, Vanderbilt expressed that the team's plan for him did not have an established schedule.

“We had a plan in place and it wasn’t more timetable-based, it was more so about measurement-based. Like, what can I do if I pass this and we kind of keep progressing.”

After Wednesday's practice, head coach JJ Redick updated Vanderbilt by revealing that he has been medically cleared.

Lakers star calls for the team to trade for another big man

The NBA trade deadline is just two weeks away, but the Lakers have yet to make a big move in the 2024-25 season. The only trade they've made is acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith in exchange for D'Angelo Russell. However, many believe the team still needs to make one trade this season.

To be more specific, the team needs another big man. In an interview with ESPN's Shams Charania, star forward Anthony Davis expressed that he wants the team to trade for another big man. He believes the team will benefit if they move him to the power forward spot and acquire an established center to play alongside him.

"I think we need another big," Davis told Charania. "I feel like I've always been at my best when I've been a four. And having a big out there, we know it worked when we won the championship with JaVale [McGee] and Dwight [Howard] at the five when I'm at the four."

Aside from a big man, the Lakers could also use another facilitator after trading Russell to the Brooklyn Nets.