Update on Jarred Vanderbilt's Return, and are the Lakers Better off with Austin Reaves as a Sixth Man?
Media Type |
audio
Categories Via RSS |
Basketball
Sports
Publication Date |
Nov 14, 2023
Episode Duration |
00:33:35

The Lakers have played with multiple lineups and juggled multiple players in and out of the lineup thanks to wide range of injuries. But one guy that's been missed, and has proven his value by his absence, is Jared Vanderbilt.

And good news! The Lakers said Monday that Vanderbilt's heel injury has healed to the point he can now resume basketball activities and ramp up to a return to game action. How long will that take? Nobody knows! The Lakers didn't say. But while fans surely would have loved a little more info, what the team did say certainly beats the alternative -- that he's still not able to do stuff.

So while it could be another week or so before Vanderbilt is available, it's not too early to think about the impact he'll have on the rotation once he's back.

For starters, he'll likely eat into some of the available minutes for Cam Reddish, who played excellent basketball in LA's consecutive victories over the weekend. (Reddish, by the way, was nominated for the Western Conference Player of the Week Award, as was Anthony Davis. He didn't win, but a nice nod nonetheless.)

What could his return mean for the backcourt rotation of Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell, who were a very, very successful combination last season, but have been deep underwater in net rating as a combo this season. Could Vando's return change that dynamic? Or is part of the problem that Dennis Schroder is in Toronto? Could Gabe Vincent's return make a difference, there?

Meanwhile, the Lakers have a critical game tonight against the Grizzlies at home, who have struggled mightily and are banged up in ways that make the Lakers look like a paragon of good health and continuity.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get good news about Jared Vanderbilt.

SEGMENT 2: How Vanderbilt's return could impact the rotation. Plus, LeBron in context and a nice nod for Cam Reddish.

SEGMENT 3: A big game vs. Memphis.

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