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The LA Lakers acquired Jarred Vanderbilt via a three-team trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves, along with D'Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley. Vanderbilt had signed a three-year $13.1 million deal with the Timberwolves in the summer of 2021.
The versatile forward will be with the Lakers until at least the 2023-24 season. He will earn $4.3 million and $4.6 million in 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively.
After that, Vanderbilt will become an unrestricted free agent unless he agrees to a contract extension with his new team.
"Vando" has played four games for the LA Lakers heading into the matchup against the Mavericks. He is averaging 7.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steals. He might be Rob Pelinka's most underrated signing before the trade deadline.
Jarred Vanderbilt is only 23 years old and still clearly has his best years ahead of him if he stays healthy. The second-round pick of the Denver Nuggets in 2018 is turning out to be one of the NBA's most versatile and grittiest defenders.
The LA Lakers will have to pay him more than $4 million annually to keep him in Hollywood once his current contract is over. Given how he has been playing, Laker Nation might be up in arms if the Lakers don't keep him.
Jarred Vanderbilt brings size and defense to the LA Lakers
![Jarred Vanderbilt played a vital role in the LA Lakers' 27-point come-from-behind win against the Dallas Mavericks on the road. [photo: ESPN]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/02/6dc22-16774576886014-1920.jpg)
The LA Lakers' much-maligned, guard-heavy roster got a boost with Jarred Vanderbilt's addition. He can play both forward roles and toggle onto guards if the Lakers need him to do so.
On Sunday night, he had the chance to guard Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. In a very crucial position late in the game, the Kentucky product forced Doncic into an error. As Doncic's primary defender, he held him to 2-7 shooting while forcing the MVP candidate to work hard to get to his favorite spots on the floor.
On the few occasions he was switched to Christian Wood, the Dallas Mavericks center couldn't overwhelm him with his size or get by him on the perimeter. He had no trouble jostling with the bigger Dwight Powell inside the paint for rebounds.
Jarred Vanderbilt averages only 1.0 steals per game, but he's always been a disruptor on defense. His feel for the game, length and aggressiveness forced the Dallas Mavericks to reset their offense on more than a few occasions.
Vanderbilt had four steals tonight but it felt like he had his hands on the ball in almost every single Dallas position. When the game was at its most critical, "Vando" seamlessly switched to either Kyrie Irving or Luka Doncic.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka got former All-Star D'Angelo Russell before the trade deadline. But it might be Vanderbilt who will have the biggest impact on the Hollywood squad this season.
He finished with 15 points with a game-high 17 rebounds and four steals. It's safe to say that the LA Lakers were not winning this game without his contributions.
Guess the Lakers players!
