JJ Redick Breaks Silence on Why Jarred Vanderbilt Has Been Left Out of the Lakers Rotation

Over the past few weeks, Los Angeles Lakers fans have noticed a quiet but significant trend — Jarred Vanderbilt has all but disappeared from the rotation.

For a team searching for defensive consistency, that absence has been impossible to ignore. And now, JJ Redick has finally addressed it.

🤔 Why Has Jarred Vanderbilt Been Out of the Rotation?

After Friday’s practice, Redick was asked directly about Vanderbilt’s limited — and often nonexistent — minutes.

The Lakers’ head coach didn’t dodge the question.

“If our defense continues to struggle, Jarred Vanderbilt will certainly get his opportunities.”

It wasn’t a detailed explanation, but it was telling.

Redick acknowledged the issue without committing to a timeline, signaling that Vanderbilt’s role is directly tied to how badly the defense falters.

🛡️ A Defensive Option Waiting on the Bench

For fans eager to see Vanderbilt back on the floor, Redick’s comment was encouraging.

When healthy, Vanderbilt is one of the Lakers’ most disruptive defenders — capable of:

• Applying relentless on-ball pressure
• Jumping passing lanes
• Switching across multiple positions
• Injecting energy when the game starts slipping away

Last season, the Lakers barely got to see that version of Vanderbilt. Serious knee injuries — including surgery — kept him sidelined for long stretches.

🚨 Lakers’ Defensive Issues Keep Surfacing

Redick himself has admitted that defensive breakdowns have become a recurring theme.

When opponents build leads of 10 points or more, Los Angeles often struggles to slow the momentum. Once the gap widens, the game frequently spirals out of reach.

That’s been the Lakers’ Achilles’ heel for years.

🧩 Why Vanderbilt Still Matters — Even Now

This season has shown improvement on paper. The additions of Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart have stabilized certain areas defensively.

But improvement doesn’t mean resolution.

There are still moments when the Lakers desperately need:

• Athleticism
• Length
• Chaos

That’s exactly where Vanderbilt thrives.

⚡ A Defensive Spark the Lakers Can’t Ignore

When Jarred Vanderbilt is right physically, he changes the tone of games.

His agility can disrupt offensive rhythm, force rushed decisions, and energize teammates. In moments where the Lakers need to stop a run — not trade baskets — Vanderbilt is often the best tool available.

And Redick knows it.

🎯 A Door That’s Still Open

Vanderbilt isn’t out of the picture.

He’s waiting.

And if the Lakers’ defensive issues continue to be exposed — as they have been — Redick’s words suggest the leash may get shorter for others, while Vando’s opportunity grows.

For a team with championship aspirations, defensive urgency tends to create clarity.

Jarred Vanderbilt could be the next beneficiary.