Lakers banking on Marcus Smart, Jared Vanderbilt to elevate perimeter defense

Lakers head coach JJ Redick is counting on the arrival of Marcus Smart and improved health from Jarred Vanderbilt to give the team’s perimeter defense a major boost, writes Khobi Price of the Orange County Register.

Smart, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, and Vanderbilt have both been regarded as elite defenders, but injuries have limited their impact the past two seasons.

“With a healthy Vando and hopefully a healthy Marcus, our ability to put more pressure on the basketball earlier in the defensive possession will be a real thing,” Redick said.

Smart has been limited early in camp with Achilles tendinopathy, though Redick told reporters he expects him to be fully recovered by the end of the week.

The veteran guard has appeared in just 54 games total over the past two seasons, and the Lakers are counting on him to be a defensive anchor on the perimeter.

“I’ve talked with JJ and what he expects from me on both ends, especially the defensive end,” Smart said. “It’s everything I’ve been doing my whole career. It’s nothing new and I remember the first thing he told me was, ‘Hey, if we’re going to get the Celtics’ Marcus Smart, that’s who we want, that’s who we need. And we need you to be that person and be who you are.’

“So for me, it’s just coming out and giving everything I got on this court and leaving it out there every night.”

Vanderbilt, meanwhile, is entering camp fully healthy after undergoing surgery on both feet last summer and not debuting last season until January 25. He said being able to train all summer has made a significant difference.

“It feels great being able to have a full summer under my belt,” Vanderbilt said. “I was able to really work on my game, work on my body, and just having that confidence going into the year instead of playing catch-up.

“Being able to be a part of training camp early, it’s a different level of approach and preparation when you already put the work in and are able to start fresh.”