Jarred Vanderbilt Losing Rotation Space as Lakers Keep Winning

The Los Angeles Lakers sit at 12–4 and second in the Western Conference, matching the Denver Nuggets’ record after a win over the Utah Jazz. Only the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder holds a better mark at 17–1, making this one of L.A.’s strongest starts in recent years.

However, amid this successful run, one player who was once viewed as a key rotation piece has been losing ground: Jarred Vanderbilt.

Minutes collapsing over recent games

Once a vital defensive anchor since arriving in 2023, Vanderbilt’s playing time has evaporated in the last four contests:

• 11 minutes in the win over New Orleans
• 7 minutes the next night against Milwaukee
• Zero minutes in each of the last two games, despite not being on the injury report

These DNPs have triggered discussion about Vanderbilt’s place in JJ Redick’s evolving rotation plans.

Could the Lakers trade Vanderbilt?

Vanderbilt’s absence hasn’t hurt the team yet — the Lakers have won all four games during this stretch. That only strengthens speculation about his long-term role.

If made available, Vanderbilt would have real trade value:

• He earns $11 million this season, a movable mid-tier salary
• He offers proven defensive skill both on the perimeter and at the rim
• His arrival in 2023 was pivotal in L.A.’s run to the Western Conference Finals

This makes him a potential asset if the Lakers choose to explore roster upgrades at the trade deadline.

Shifting system leaves Vando squeezed

A key reason for Vanderbilt’s decline is stylistic. Redick has leaned into:

• Lighter lineups
• More spacing
• Switchable, multi-positional systems

Vanderbilt’s offensive limitations — especially spacing and scoring — make him less natural in these schemes. If the Lakers continue to emphasize this identity, he may remain a situational defender rather than a guaranteed rotation piece.

Injury history also a concern

Another factor working against Vanderbilt is his availability. Since joining the Lakers, he has struggled to stay healthy:

• 2023–24: 29 games played
• 2024–25: 36 games played

Foot, hip, and lower-body issues have prevented him from gaining season-long rhythm, making his reliability uncertain.

What happens next?

Vanderbilt’s future depends on two big variables:

1. Whether Redick continues prioritizing shooting and mobility over defensive specialists, and
2. Whether the front office sees him as a rotation piece or a trade chip in bigger roster moves

If the Lakers stay hot with the current rotation, Vanderbilt could become a depth piece with irregular minutes — or a valuable asset used to reinforce the roster later in the season.