Lakers News: What LA Plans To Do With Jarred Vanderbilt's Team Option This Summer
Your Los Angeles Lakers uncovered a diamond in the rough as part of their epic trade deadline overhaul. LA made perhaps its most significant move of the season in a blockbuster three-team deal that saw Russell Westbrook's odious $47.1 million contract and a top-four protected 2027 first round draft pick shipped out to the Utah Jazz (he was later bought out), Mike Conley sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and D'Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Malik Beasley arrive in LA.
Though Russell and Beasley may have been the starrier names, thanks in large part to their three-point marksmanship, Vanderbilt has emerged as one of the most critical additions to Los Angeles. Thanks to his energetic, versatile defense, the 6'9" big man quickly earned a starting power forward nod.
Now, Jovan Buha of The Athletic sheds some light on Vanderbilt's fate in the summer of 2023, when he could theoretically become a free agent. Los Angeles has a $4.7 million team option for the 2023-24 season, and per Buha, the team plans to exercise it and retain its own Dennis Rodman-esque "Energizer Bunny" for next year, which will postpone his unrestricted free agency at least one more season.
This is the sensible play, given that -- modest offensive numbers aside -- Vanderbilt is ultimately making significantly less than he's probably worth on the open market.
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