Jarred Vanderbilt injury update: JJ Redick provides major news on LA Lakers key $48,000,000 defensive stalwart's return

JJ Redick's LA Lakers are gradually improving with every game over the past month. They have gone 8-3 in their past 11 games, posting a 20-14 record. One of their keys to this successful run has been their rediscovered identity defensively. Amid this surge, LA has received another major boost.

Key defensive stalwart, Jarred Vanderbilt, could be close to a return. Redick revealed that Vanderbilt's recent progress has been "real" since he faced a setback amid his recovery from foot surgery as reported on Dec. 3. Vanderbilt had fluid in his left knee, delaying his return to action.

However, the issue has dissipated and he's pushing his ramp-up process. A week ago, Jarred Vanderbilt was participating in non-contact practice. His return is critical to the Lakers as it helps them evaluate their roster needs after making a crucial trade to acquire Dorian Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets.

Vanderbilt is a one-dimensional player, but his impact on the Lakers hasn't been doubted since his arrival after the 2023 trade deadline. His defense alone was key to LA's Western Conference finals run in the 2023 playoffs. Since then, the Lakers haven't reached that level defensively as Vanderbilt played only 29 games in 2023-24 and is yet to make his season debut this year.