Lakers insider takes dig at $48,000,000 defensive stalwart with hilarious TikTok reference

LA Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt is reportedly inching closer to his long-awaited return from multiple offseason foot surgeries. However, as Vanderbilt approaches a year out of action, Lakers insider Anthony F. Irwin quipped about his availability, referencing the United States' recent TikTok ban.

Upon being acquired from the Utah Jazz at the 2023 NBA trade deadline, Vanderbilt quickly established himself as a key defensive cog for LA. He played a valuable role during the team's unexpected 2023 Western Conference finals run, starting in 13 of 15 appearances.

Since then, Vanderbilt has played sparingly due to back, knee, heel and foot injuries. After being limited to 29 contests last season, he has yet to suit up this season as he recovers from offseason procedures to both his feet.

According to Lakers Nation's Trevor Lane, Vanderbilt was recalled from his latest NBA G League assignment on Sunday, seemingly putting his return on the horizon.

As the sixth-year player nears his first game action since Feb. 1, Irwin seemingly couldn't resist taking a lighthearted jab at him. On Sunday, the insider made light of the U.S.'s short-lived TikTok ban, which stemmed from national security concerns about the video-sharing platform's Chinese ownership.

12 hours after the federal ban was implemented on Saturday night, the popular social media app was made available to American users again. The reversal came after President-elect Donald Trump pledged early Sunday to pause the ban by executive order upon his Monday inauguration.

"TikTok was banned and came back before Vando," Irwin wrote on X/Twitter.

Nevertheless, if Vanderbilt can get fully healthy, he should provide a much-needed boost to the Lakers' 24th-ranked defensive rating (115.7). His four-year, $48 million contract could also be a trade chip for the organization ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

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JJ Redick hopeful Jarred Vanderbilt will return to Lakers' lineup soon

Lakers coach JJ Redick has remained non-committal about Jarred Vanderbilt's return date throughout the season. However, on Monday, the rookie coach expressed optimism about Vanderbilt's comeback being imminent.

While Redick said the defensive stalwart wouldn't play during the week, he noted that Vanderbilt was doing the necessary on-court work to ramp up.

"It'll be a little bit of a mixed bag over the next week with live play against coaches, live play with coaches, try to mix in a little bit with the stay-ready group," Redick said. "But we'll get enough exposure to live simulation, and hopefully he's back soon. He's close, but it's not gonna be this week."

LA (22-18) tips off a two-game homestand on Tuesday against the league-worst Washington Wizards (6-35), marking Vanderbilt's next opportunity to be cleared to play.

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