Friday, the news broke that Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakers had agreed to a four year contract extension worth $48 million. The terms (slightly) surprised your hosts, not necessarily on the length, but in the value - on the relative high side of what seemed like the right value. Much, perhaps even most, of the audience disagreed.
Responding to a poll, almost a quarter think the Lakers made out like bandits, because were Vanderbilt to hit the open market this summer, he'd surely get $15 or more, annually.
Maybe... but maybe not.
Vanderbilt is in a strange position, where his path to significant playing time is hardly clear, particularly if (as many believe will happen) Rui Hachimura moves to the starting lineup after re-upping with LA for significantly more money earlier this summer. (And while it seems less likely, if Christian Wood ends up starting at center, the same basic principle applies - it gets harder to find minutes for Vando.) But while Vanderbilt might not have as much flexibility to shine this year, at least while the roster is healthy, it's easy to imagine a different group where he could have a role that outstrips a $12 million salary.
Particularly as the salary cap rises, the chances of this deal being onerous or an albatross seem pretty small. But that doesn't mean Vanderbilt will come off as a huge bargain, either. It might even shift year to year as the roster changes.
And do expectations for Vanderbilt change now that he's signed a bigger contract?
Finally, HBO's "Winning Time" will not be picked up for a third season. If you watched the show, how disappointed are you? Is there an era of Lakerdom you'd like to have seen depicted?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Reacting to Jarred Vanderbilt.
SEGMENT 2: "Winning Time," and more Vando. Do expectations change around him now that he's making more $?
SEGMENT 3: Vanderbilt and the regular season vs. the playoffs. Why too many people discount the value of contributions in the former, even if certain players (Vanderbilt included) can be harder to play in the postseason, matchups depending.
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