Jarred Vanderbilt John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

The Lakers will be without forward Jarred Vanderbilt for at least two more weeks, the team announced today (Twitter link via Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times).

According to the Lakers, Vanderbilt was reexamined by team doctors on Thursday and is still dealing with left heel bursitis. While he’s improving, Vanderbilt will be reevaluated by the medical staff in two weeks, at which time the club will provide another update.

Vanderbilt, 24, was one of two players sent from Utah to Los Angeles at the 2023 trade deadline, along with Malik Beasley (D’Angelo Russell arrived from Minnesota in the same three-team deal). Vanderbilt started 24 of 26 regular season games for the Lakers down the stretch, averaging 7.2 points and 6.7 rebounds in 24.0 minutes per night while shooting 52.9% from the field and 78.4% from the free throw line.

Although he was one of the few Lakers who wasn’t a free agent this offseason, Vanderbilt still cashed in, agreeing to a four-year, $48M veteran extension that will keep him under team control through at least the 2026/27 season. He’ll hold a player option for ’27/28.

Vanderbilt was considered a strong candidate to start in the Lakers’ frontcourt alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis to open the season. His injury opened the door for Taurean Prince to claim that starting spot.

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