Jarred Vanderbilt can solve some of Lakers' defensive issues

Jarred Vanderbilt made his first appearance of the season during the Los Angeles Lakers' win over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. The versatile defensive wing has been out of the rotation since the Lakers' 114-105 victory over the Boston Celtics on Feb. 1, 2024. 

JJ Redick's team has blown hot and cold on the defensive end this season. The Lakers currently sit 22nd in the league for defensive rating. As such, Vanderbilt's return to the rotation will be a significant boost for the franchise. His ability to guard multiple positions and navigate screens will allow the Lakers to up their overall defensive intensity. 

"We can go deep into our bench," Anthony Davis told the media. "Obviously Vando's on a minutes restriction, but the time he was on the floor, he was phenomenal. He looked great… it definitely helps us with guys not having to play a ton of minutes. We can get some rest and kind of be fresh from game to game."

Vanderbilt played a large role in the Lakers' push to the 2023 Western Conference Finals. Losing him for the past 12 months has been a tough blow, especially as they've struggled to contain high-scoring wings in his absence. 

Redick will undoubtedly have a plan for getting the most out of Vanderbilt. When healthy, he's arguably the team's second-best defender behind Davis. If he can help improve the team's rearguard performances, the Lakers could potentially improve their current standing in the Western Conference. 

For all the noise that the Lakers need to add some fresh faces to the roster, Vanderbilt's return will be like a new player. He's missed almost 12 months of basketball, and his potential impact on defense can't be overstated. 

The Lakers now have two elite wing defenders, Vanderbilt and Dorian Finney-Smith. In the coming months, Los Angeles could experience a genuine resurgence, and Vanderbilt will likely be one of the driving forces behind it.