Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Lakers' Jarred Vanderbilt Talks Huge Missing Element in 2024 Season

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Jason Fray | Last updated May 4, 2025 11:00 AM ET

Basketball players often use the offseason to hone their respective craft.

Skill work and conditioning are of the greatest importance, and we've seen situations where younger players come back after a summer of hard work ready to make a name for themselves.

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Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt is hoping to be one of those players. For two-straight offseasons, Vanderbilt has been sidelined due to various injuries. This past offseason, Vanderbilt had surgeries on both feet. It caused him to fall behind the proverbial 8-ball, and his timing throughout the year was not where he would've liked it to be.

Jarred Vanderbilt said he's excited from an individual standpoint to be healthy going into the offseason, after two straight years recovering from injuries:

"I’m just excited to have a healthy summer to work on my game.”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) May 1, 2025

As he said in the exit interviews in the wake of the series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Vanderbilt is looking forward to working on the aspects of his game without any physical issues.

A spider-like athlete with terrific length, Vanderbilt is a versatile defender possessing the chops to guard multiple positions on the floor. His playing time is limited by an inability to shoot consistently from beyond the arc. Often left wide-open by the opposition (particularly in the corners), Vanderbilt is a career 28.8 percent shooter from three.

This year, Vanderbilt shot only 28.1 percent frmo beyond the arc. The Kentucky product is actually a far better passer than given credit for. He demonstrated a few of those elite dishes during the Minnesota series.

This pass from Jarred Vanderbilt > pic.twitter.com/CXkftF7Jku
— AB (@aburnshoops) May 1, 2025

If he can develop into even a 35 percent shooter from three, it would do wonders for his game — and would likely keep him on the floor for longer stretches of time.

Vanderbilt signed a 4-year deal in 2023 worth $48 million. He has a player option worth $13.2 million in 2027-28.

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This article first appeared on FanNation All Lakers and was syndicated with permission.

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