The Los Angeles Lakers are rewarding Forward Jarred Vanderbilt with a contract extension. The new deal is reportedly worth four years for $48 Million. Its fully guaranteed and includes a player option in the final year. Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium was the first on the news.
The Lakers acquired Vanderbilt from Utah in last year’s trade deadline roster overhaul. The 24-year-old was part of a three-team deal that sent out Russell Westbrook but also brought D’Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley to Los Angeles.
The front office has already exercised 4.7 million team option for the 2023-24 season. Vanderbilt was a key member of the Lakers rotation after the trade. He started 24 of 26 regular season games, as well as 13 of 15 games in the playoffs.
The 6-foot-9 forward saw more playing time in the regular season with the Lakers, averaging 7.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 24.0 minutes per game. That dropped to 16.5 minutes per game in the postseason, with averages of 4.6 points and 3.2 rebounds.
The lack of shooting was a key contributor to the diminished time in the playoffs. Yet still, Vanderbilt proved to be a valuable frontcourt player who can absorb minutes and play with high energy. At just 24, it made sense for the Lakers to want to lock up another young member of the roster, and this is a fair extension for Jarred Vanderbilt given his age and contributions.
Busy Offseason
The new contract for Vanderbilt? It’s one of many notable moves for the Lakers this offseason. He joins Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Russell as players getting new deals. The Lakers also brought in Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes and, mostly recently, Christian Wood in free agency.
There are aspirations to close in on the NBA Finals this season after falling short in the Western Conference Finals last year.The Lakers boast two superstars in LeBron James and AD plus a ton of depth around them.
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