Jarred Vanderbilt’s Resurgence Has the Lakers Facing a Brutal Rotation Dilemma

The Los Angeles Lakers desperately need what Jarred Vanderbilt brings to the floor.

And yet, fitting him into the rotation has become one of the most uncomfortable problems facing JJ Redick as the 2025–26 season moves forward.

That contradiction has quietly turned Vanderbilt into a player the Lakers cannot afford to ignore — but also cannot easily accommodate.

🧱 Why Jarred Vanderbilt Matters So Much

The Lakers’ issues are well documented.

Defense. Rebounding. Energy. Physicality.

Vanderbilt directly addresses all four.

Against the Phoenix Suns, he reminded everyone why he once felt untouchable in the rotation. In just 15 minutes, Vanderbilt delivered seven points, seven rebounds (six offensive), two steals and a block, finishing +7 in a game the Lakers nearly gave away late.

The box score only scratches the surface.

His hustle flipped possessions. His activity fueled runs. His presence helped build a lead the Lakers desperately needed — and nearly lost.

🛑 The Rotation Reality Under JJ Redick

The problem isn’t Vanderbilt’s performance.

It’s math.

JJ Redick has been committed to a nine-man rotation all season. When LeBron James returned from his sciatica injury, Vanderbilt became the odd man out — receiving DNPs in nine of ten games before the Suns matchup.

Austin Reaves’ calf injury temporarily opened a door. Marcus Smart slid into the starting lineup, and Vanderbilt reclaimed a bench role.

But that solution has an expiration date.

🔄 What Happens When Reaves Returns?

That’s where things get messy.

No bench player is an obvious sacrifice. Each fills a specific role on a roster already struggling with balance. Expanding to a 10-man rotation sounds reasonable — until you factor in the Lakers’ bench scoring issues and the need to stagger stars.

Something has to give.

And whatever decision Redick makes will come with consequences.

⚖️ Defense vs. Offensive Structure

Keeping Vanderbilt in the rotation strengthens the Lakers’ weakest area: defense.

Taking minutes away from offensive-minded players risks bogging down an attack that already leans heavily on LeBron James and Luka Dončić.

This is the trap.

Play Vanderbilt, and spacing becomes tighter.

Sit Vanderbilt, and defensive collapses continue.

Neither option is clean.

🧩 Is There a Right Answer?

Not really.

Every solution creates a new problem.

What is clear is that Vanderbilt has forced his way back into the conversation. His impact is too real, too immediate, and too necessary for the Lakers to simply move past him again.

JJ Redick doesn’t just have a rotation decision.

He has a dilemma with no easy way out.