Lakers' Jarred Vanderbilt: Likely out until January
Rotowire
Vanderbilt isn't expected to make his season debut until early January after developing fluid in his left knee during his rehab program for offseason procedures on both of his feet, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Back on Nov. 20, the Lakers announced that Vanderbilt had hit a snag in his ramp-up program, after he had taken longer than anticipated to recover from the pair of surgeries he underwent in May, one to address a right mid-foot sprain and another to remove a bone spur in his left foot. While Vanderbilt isn't dealing with any foot-related setbacks in the two weeks since that update, the left knee issue will further delay his 2024-25 debut. Vanderbilt was a key player for the Lakers when healthy during the 2023-24 season, averaging 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 20.0 minutes.
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Lakers' Jarred Vanderbilt: Out for at least two more weeks
Rotowire
Vanderbilt's (foot) ramp-up process has gone slower than anticipated, and he'll be re-evaluated in a "couple weeks" from Wednesday, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
Vanderbilt underwent surgery on his right foot during the offseason, and his recovery has been slower than expected. He's yet to appear in a game this season and will need at least two weeks more before retaking the hardwood.
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Lakers' Jarred Vanderbilt: Remains out Tuesday
Rotowire
Vanderbilt (foot) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Jazz, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.
Vanderbilt continues to work his way back from offseason procedures on both of his feet. His next chance to make his 2024-25 regular-season debut will be Thursday against the Magic, but Vanderbilt will need to increase his basketball activities before entertaining a return to game action.
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Lakers' Jarred Vanderbilt: Takes part in shooting drills
Rotowire
Vanderbilt (foot) was spotted participating in light shooting drills following Sunday's practice, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.
Vanderbilt doesn't appear to be all that close to a return to play just yet, but he's trending in the right direction. If all goes well in his rehab, the forward should continue to ramp up basketball activities over the next week or so, at which point another update is expected to surface.
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Lakers' Jarred Vanderbilt: Out at least another week
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Head coach JJ Redick said Friday that Vanderbilt (foot) is progressing, but the big man is still experiencing some "minor discomfort," Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports. "I don't think he's a day or two away from playing," Redick said. "We'll have another update in a week or so."
Vanderbilt has yet to suit up this season while recovering from offseason procedures on both of his feet. Though Redick stressed that Vanderbilt's discomfort is normal for a player recovering from an injury, the Lakers likely won't have a firm timeline for the 25-year-old to make his 2024-25 debut until he resumes practicing with contact.
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Lakers' Jarred Vanderbilt: To miss start of season
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Coach JJ Redick said Thursday that Vanderbilt's (foot) status will be updated in two weeks, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.
The Lakers were hopeful that Vanderbilt would be ready for the start of the regular season Tuesday against the Timberwolves, but following Thursday's update, he's set to miss at least the first five matchups of the 2024-25 campaign. Redick noted that Vanderbilt hasn't suffered any sort of setback and his return-to-play progression is going well, so perhaps the team's initial timetable for a return was a bit ambitious.
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Lakers' Jarred Vanderbilt: Progressing in recovery
Rotowire
Coach JJ Redick said Saturday that Vanderbilt (foot) is progressing and in a "ramp up" stage in his recovery, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Vanderbilt is still working his way back from multiple foot surgeries this offseason and isn't expected to suit up in the preseason. However, the Lakers are still targeting the regular-season opener against Minnesota on Oct. 21 as his return date.
Vanderbilt (foot) said Monday that he's not sure if he'll be ready for Opening Night, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.
Vanderbilt had procedures on both feet during the offseason, and there's been some optimism that he could be ready to face Minnesota on Oct. 22 to open the season. Vanderbilt said his rehab process has been going great, and it will be interesting to see how he progresses throughout the preseason.
General manager Rob Pelinka said Wednesday that Vanderbilt had successful procedures on both feet this offseason, and there's optimism the forward will be ready for Opening Night against the Timberwolves on Oct. 22, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
Pelinka added that Vanderbilt had a lingering bone spur that was also cleared up during the procedures, which happened right after the 2023-24 season concluded. Vanderbilt was a key piece during the Lakers' run to the Western Conference Finals two years ago, but last season, the forward struggled to stay on the court, making just 29 regular-season appearances. Vanderbilt brings a defensive versatility that is hard to come by and will certainly have a role if he's healthy on Opening Night, though probably not one worth fantasy relevance outside of deeper leagues prioritizing defensive stats.
